John Jeter has been music director and conductor of the Fort Smith Symphony since 1997. He is the recipient of the Governor’s Award for “Individual Artist of the State of Arkansas”, the Helen M. Thompson Award presented by the League of American Orchestras, and the Mayor’s Achievement Award for services to the City of Fort Smith.

Jeter has guest conducted numerous orchestras in the US and Europe. His music education programs for schools reach up to 10,000 students annually. He is also involved in a growing number of music and wellness projects, and has a long history as a media guest and host.

Jeter received his formal education at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music, and Butler University’s Jordan College of Fine Arts.

www.fortsmithsymphony.org

The grandson of a former slave on a Georgia plantation, William Grant Still first studied the violin, cello and oboe before embarking on a course in composition at Oberlin Conservatory, subsequently undertaking work as a commercial arranger. In the 1920s he studied with Varèse and came to be recognised as a leading pioneer in African American music.

Music
Still’s varied compositions include vocal works, operas, orchestral works (three symphonies and a number of symphonic poems and suites) and chamber music. He remains an important figure in the development of purely American music.