The original version of my article on Aria, the first of two delightful AAA commissioned solos by the famed and popular African American composer, William Grant Still (picture right), appeared in the 2001 issue of the American Accordionists’ Association Festival Journal. The expanded article is now online.

As with all my updated, expanded articles, this one includes new historical information, more photos from Elsie Bennett’s historical photo albums, and the new and very important feature of musical examples accompanying far deeper analytical descriptions of the work.

View the latest article about Aria by William Grant Still at: http://www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions16.php

Note: Readers, particularly those in the New York area, who would like to hear live performances of AAA commissioned works are encouraged to attend a free annual afternoon concert by Dr. William Schimmel and associated accordionists to take place in the Bruno Walter Auditorium of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, at Lincoln Center, on October 14, at 1:00 pm. Included in this year’s program are two AAA commissions, Lilt, by William Grant Still, and Lamentations, by Virgil Thomson, to be performed by Dr. McMahan. See article titled: “Accordionist Dr. Bill Schimmel Performs with Musical Guests” in this news for more information.