Composer Series: Florence Price

Our next composer feature—Florence Price!

Florence Price 
1887-1953 

Florence Price was an American classical composer, pianist, organist, and music teacher. 

Price is noted as the first black woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer. And her piece, Symphony No. 1 in E minor was the first piece composed by a black woman to be performed by a major American symphony orchestra. 

She studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and graduated with honors. Later, she also attended Chicago Musical College, Chicago Teacher's College, University of Chicago, and American Conservatory of Music. 

By the end of her life, Price’s works numbered over 300 (unfortunately most remain unpublished). 

Our Favorites: 
Symphony No. 1 in E minor 
Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor 
Adoration for Organ

Music Connects!

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Thank you for sharing a piece of your musical story with us Ann!

“Playing oboe at summer camp inspired me to want to become a musician. I'm grateful for all of the wonderful instruction and inspiration I received from teachers through the years, and hope that I am also an inspiration for my students! I'm still friends with musicians I knew back in middle school and high school! Music continues to be a way we can connect online if not in person!”

#iplayhere

Share something about your musical journey in the comments!

Composer Series: Amy Beach

The second composer in our series—Amy Beach!

Amy Beach 
9/5/1867 - 12/27/1944 

Amy Beach was an American Composer and pianist. 

Amy was capable of improvising counter-melody by age two, and at age four, she composed four waltzes for piano.  

Beach’s “Gaelic Symphony” was the first symphony composed and published by an American woman. 

Amy was one of the first US composers to have her music recognized in Europe, and THE first classical US composer to achieve success without the benefit of European study. 

Our favorites: 
Mass in E-flat (premiered 1890) 
Gaelic Symphony (1894) 
Sonata for Piano and Violin (1896) 
Piano Concerto (1900) 
Variations on Balkan Themes (1904)