Passing the Torch: The Legacy of Florence Price and Margaret Bonds
Our program celebrates the music of Florence Price (1887-1953) and Margaret Bonds (1913-1972). We are delighted to welcome GaDa Lambert, soprano, and Basia Thomas, piano, for the first time at Morris County Library.
No registration is required. Seating is first-come, first-served.
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The early 20th century presented challenges for women in music, particularly women of color. Florence Price and her student Margaret Bonds forged formidable paths through gender and race barriers.
In 1933, both Price and Bonds made history with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Chicago World’s Fair. Price’s first symphony became the first major work by an African American woman to be performed by a major U.S. Orchestra. Bonds became the first African American woman to solo with such an orchestra.
Price and Bond continued to perform and compose at the highest levels throughout their careers. They formed a lasting friendship that supported them throughout their lives, including the challenges of creating careers within the overwhelmingly male, White classical music community.
