Bea Breaks Barriers!

Florence Beatrice Price was always breaking barriers—especially when it came to music. Raised in the Deep South, Bea broke through the barriers of racism and prejudice to master the piano and excel at school. And when opportunity came to study at the New England Conservatory of Music, Bea traveled north, one of only two Black students to attend. Bea continued to break barriers when she returned to the South to teach and find inspiration for her music, drawing from many different genres. Bea fought hard to have her works played. One of her triumphs was being the first Black American woman composer whose symphony was performed by a major orchestra. But Bea’s music eventually became lost to time. When her musical scores were recently found in an abandoned house, Bea’s music was rediscovered—bursting forth for all to hear! “A touchingly narrated introduction to the life and music of Florence Beatrice Price. What a gift that young readers will be able to learn about this awe-inspiring composer and musician. Classical music has always been diverse and Caitlin DeLems’s compelling portrait of Bea will help make this known to new generations.”—Dr. Samantha Ege, music historian, pianist, and author of South Side Impresarios: How Race Women Transformed Chicago’s Classical Music Scene