Composer, Organist. Florence Beatrice Smith Price was the first African-American female composer to have a symphonic composition performed by a major American symphony orchestra. In 1933, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performed her Symphony in E Minor to much acclaim and has most recently performed other works such as 'The Oak'.
Florence Smith was the daughter of James H. Smith (a dentist) and Florence (nee Gulliver) Smith (a piano teacher). Price graduated as valedictorian from Capitol Hill School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1903 and from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in 1907 with an organist degree.
Florence was the wife of attorney Thomas Price. They were wed on September 25, 1912 and later divorced before his death in 1942. She was mother to two daughters, and a son who died in infancy. Florence taught on the college level and as a private piano instructor. She was denied membership in the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association because she was African-American.
The Prices moved to Chicago, Ill. following the race riots back in Ark. in 1927. She acquired more musical education there. Florence also had several compositions accepted for publication and she also won many large and important musical contests of the era. These helped to establish her as a well known and respected musical talent. Mrs. Price is buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois.
Florence Smith was the daughter of James H. Smith (a dentist) and Florence (nee Gulliver) Smith (a piano teacher). Price graduated as valedictorian from Capitol Hill School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1903 and from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in 1907 with an organist degree.
Florence was the wife of attorney Thomas Price. They were wed on September 25, 1912 and later divorced before his death in 1942. She was mother to two daughters, and a son who died in infancy. Florence taught on the college level and as a private piano instructor. She was denied membership in the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association because she was African-American.
The Prices moved to Chicago, Ill. following the race riots back in Ark. in 1927. She acquired more musical education there. Florence also had several compositions accepted for publication and she also won many large and important musical contests of the era. These helped to establish her as a well known and respected musical talent. Mrs. Price is buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois.
Composer, Organist. Florence Beatrice Smith Price was the first African-American female composer to have a symphonic composition performed by a major American symphony orchestra. In 1933, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performed her Symphony in E Minor to much acclaim and has most recently performed other works such as 'The Oak'.
Florence Smith was the daughter of James H. Smith (a dentist) and Florence (nee Gulliver) Smith (a piano teacher). Price graduated as valedictorian from Capitol Hill School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1903 and from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in 1907 with an organist degree.
Florence was the wife of attorney Thomas Price. They were wed on September 25, 1912 and later divorced before his death in 1942. She was mother to two daughters, and a son who died in infancy. Florence taught on the college level and as a private piano instructor. She was denied membership in the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association because she was African-American.
The Prices moved to Chicago, Ill. following the race riots back in Ark. in 1927. She acquired more musical education there. Florence also had several compositions accepted for publication and she also won many large and important musical contests of the era. These helped to establish her as a well known and respected musical talent. Mrs. Price is buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois.
Florence Smith was the daughter of James H. Smith (a dentist) and Florence (nee Gulliver) Smith (a piano teacher). Price graduated as valedictorian from Capitol Hill School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1903 and from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in 1907 with an organist degree.
Florence was the wife of attorney Thomas Price. They were wed on September 25, 1912 and later divorced before his death in 1942. She was mother to two daughters, and a son who died in infancy. Florence taught on the college level and as a private piano instructor. She was denied membership in the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association because she was African-American.
The Prices moved to Chicago, Ill. following the race riots back in Ark. in 1927. She acquired more musical education there. Florence also had several compositions accepted for publication and she also won many large and important musical contests of the era. These helped to establish her as a well known and respected musical talent. Mrs. Price is buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois.
Bio by: Someone Who Cares...
Gravesite Details
In early October 2023, 70 years after her death, a marker that was approved by Florence Price's family was installed with their permission.
Family Members
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See more Price or Smith memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
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