William Grant Still Exhibition

Wilberforce String Quartet

Still entered Wilberforce University in 1911 as a pre-med student to satisfy his mother's wishes. During this time it was not unusual to participate in musical activities for their cultural and entertainment value, but not to pursue music as a career. This was especially true for African Americans who, due to racism, were given limited performance opportunities, mainly in questionable places; Still's mother did not want him associated with these places. However, as Still became more involved in musical activities at Wilberforce, he decided that he would chose music as a profession. He played not only his violin, but taught himself to play the clarinet, saxophone, string bass, viola, cello, and oboe. He did not learn to play all of these well enough to be able to perform on them, but he was able to learn about their capabilities; this knowledge would be very useful as he began to write instrumental music. He did, however, become quite competent on the oboe, which he later played professionally.