Florence Price

by Joanne Mattern

Florence Price (1887–1953), an American composer and pianist, was a trailblazer as the first African American woman to gain recognition in classical music.


Her compositions, blending traditional Western styles with African American influences, include symphonies, chamber works, and the acclaimed Symphony No. 1. Price's legacy continues to inspire diversity in classical music. Colorful illustrations plus photographs of meaningful sites and settings connect readers to important points in Price's history. A timeline and B Sharp sidebars add details to the composer's life story.

32 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2025

About the author

Mattern is the author of many books for children. Her favorite topics include animals, biography, and history. She lives in the Hudson Valley of New York State.

Reviews

[Red Chair Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...an overwhelmingly dynamic and captivating biography of a woman whose life and work should be more widely known. An ideal introduction to a Black female pioneer and her work." --Kirkus
One of 8 titles in the new Classical Composers series.
"Wonderfully accessible insights into the lives of amazing composers. perfect for promoting music history to 8 to 12 year-olds." -- The Wishing Shelf Awards