Chapter 48: Modern America: Still and Musical Modernism in the United States
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. During which decade did the Harlem Renaissance begin?
a. 1900s c. 1920s
b. 1910s d. 1930s
2. Which of the following was referred to as “the greatest Negro city in the world” during the 1920s?
a. New Orleans c. Chicago
b. Harlem d. Los Angeles
3. The Harlem Renaissance was inspired by a book of essays entitled:
a. The Harlem Renaissance. c. The New Negro.
b. Invisible Man. d. Weary Blues.
4. The most important literary figure associated with the Harlem Renaissance was:
a. Langston Hughes. c. Alain Locke.
b. Ralph Ellison. d. George Schuyler.
5. Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday performed in Harlem at the:
a. Cotton Club. c. Cocoanut Grove.
b. Club DeLux. d. Ambassador Hotel.
6. In his early years, William Grant Still was associated with which artistic movement?
a. the Harlem Renaissance c. Impressionism
b. abstract expressionism d. the avant-garde
7. _______ was the first African American composer to have a symphony performed by a major
American orchestra.
a. William Grant Still c. Louis Armstrong
b. Duke Ellington d. James Reese Europe
8. The third movement of William Grant Still’s Suite for Violin and Piano was inspired by:
a. a poem by Langston Hughes. c. a sculpture by Augusta Savage.
b. a painting by Sargent Johnson. d. a novel by Ralph Ellison.
9. What musical style inspired William Grant Still’s Suite for Violin and Piano?
a. Baroque c. avant-garde
b. blues d. Harlem Renaissance
10. How many movements make up Still’s Suite for Violin and Piano?
a. one c. three
b. two d. four
11. William Grant Still was born in:
a. France. c. Germany.
b. the United States. d. South Africa.
12. Which piano style evolved from ragtime and features a regular four-beat pulse with left-hand
chords on the second and fourth beats?
a. jazz c. boogie-woogie
b. stride d. all of the answers shown here
13. Harlem is located in:
a. Chicago. c. Paris.
TRUE/FALSE
1. The authors of The New Negro encouraged black artists to look to New York for inspiration.
2. The Harlem Renaissance highlighted African American intellectual life in the 1920s and 1930s.
3. William Grant Still had an extensive background in jazz but no training in the European tradition.
4. Duke Ellington composed the first symphony by an African American to be performed by a major
American orchestra.
5. William Grant Still composed only instrumental works and avoided opera.
6. William Grant Still moved to Los Angeles and composed music for television.
7. William Grant Still’s Suite for Violin and Piano reflects his ties to the Harlem Renaissance.
8. The third movement of William Grant Still’s Suite for Violin and Piano is based on Sargent
Johnson’s Mother and Child.
9. William Grant Still and other musicians worked to break down the long-standing prejudice against
all black artists.
10. Augusta Savage was the most important literary figure associated with the Harlem Renaissance.
11. The third movement of William Grant Still’s Suite for Violin and Piano resembles stride piano.
ESSAY
1. Discuss the relationship of William Grant Still’s music to the Harlem Renaissance.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
PTS: 1 DIF: 2 REF: Essentials: pp. 272–274
TOP: Still MSC: Conceptual
2. How does the music of William Grant Still reflect the traditions of European and African
American music?
ANS:
Answers will vary.
PTS: 1 DIF: 2 REF: Essentials: pp. 273–274
TOP: Still MSC: Conceptual