| Florence B. Price (1888-1953) was a ground-breaking female African American composer, pedagogue, and educator, who combined elements of African music with the European classical tradition. She won the Wanamaker Prize in 1931 (Symphony in E Minor) and 1932 (Piano Sonata in E Minor). She was the first African American female composer to have a large-scale composition (Symphony in E Minor) performed by a major symphony orchestra in the U.S. as well as the first to write a concerto (Concerto in D Minor for piano). Her pedagogical compositions were regularly published and some of these compositions were included in the Oxford Normal Course for Teachers. The purpose of this thesis is to not only provide an overview of Florence B. Price's accomplishments as a versatile and prolific African American composer, but to also display the relevance of her piano teaching pieces for today's piano teacher. After a thorough analysis (harmonic and pedagogical) of eleven beginner piano teaching pieces composed June 11, 1929, I contend that Florence B. Price's piano teaching pieces provide a unique opportunity for modern piano teachers to bring diversity into their piano studios. These compositions are well crafted and will benefit piano students pedagogically, culturally, and socially. |
