calsfoundation@cals.org
January 5, 1944
The New York Philharmonic premiered William Grant Still’s The Colored Soldiers Who Died for Democracy at Carnegie Hall. Still grew up in Little Rock (Pulaski County) and achieved national and international acclaim as a composer of symphonic and popular music. As an African American, he broke race barriers and opened opportunities for other minorities. He was also a strong advocate for the performance of works by American composers.