Florence Beatrice Price

Florence Beatrice Price, born in 1888 in Little Rock, Arkansas, was a pioneering American classical composer, pianist, organist, and music teacher. She studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and made history in 1933 when she became the first African-American woman to have a symphony performed by a major US orchestra. Throughout her career, Price composed over 300 works, including four symphonies, four concertos, and a wealth of choral, chamber, and solo instrumental pieces. Her music, deeply rooted in her experiences and heritage, reflects a unique blend of African-American spirituals, Southern folk music, and European classical traditions. Despite facing numerous personal and professional challenges, including the loss of her husband in 1931, Price's compositions continue to captivate audiences and inspire new generations of musicians. In 2009, a significant collection of her works and papers was discovered, further cementing her legacy as a groundbreaking composer.