February 17, 2008
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Profile America for the 17th day of Black History Month. When William Grant Still mounted the podium and began conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1936 it marked the first time that an African-American had led a major symphonic orchestra in the U.S. Raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Still began studying medicine but gave it up to pursue his first love a career in music a career which saw him not only conducting but composing. His symphonies, operas and ballets have been performed in many parts of the world. His most popular work is the ballet Lenox Avenue, depicting life in Harlem. Nearly 28 million people in the U.S. attend symphony orchestra concerts during an annual season. This special edition of Profile America for Black History Month is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.