PART 1

Little Rock, Arkansas, 1900 – Florence “Beatrice” Price practices the piano under the watchful eye of her mother – who is also named Florence. Later, Beatrice’s father distracts her from her lessons with a game of “what could you not live without?” He shares that he couldn’t live without family, God, books and his teeth (he is a dentist after all)! Beatrice replies that she could not live without music. “When I play the piano,” she says, “it feels like walking barefoot through the grass.” Unfortunately, the family is hosting a dinner that evening, so Beatrice will have to keep her shoes on. Once the guests arrive, Beatrice entertains them with an original composition. They marvel at the young girl’s talent. The next day, Beatrice’s mother stops Beatrice on her way outside to play, insisting that she wear a hat to shield her face from the sun. Their family has always been light-skinned and it has afforded them a certain freedom. “The lighter your skin, the wider the world will open its doors for you,” her mother says, “so stay light like me.” Beatrice heeds her mother’s advice and puts on a hat.

PART 2

Boston, Massachusetts, 1902 – On her first day at The New England Conservatory of Music, Beatrice meets Jane, a fellow student who is impressed that she is considering a double major. Later in the semester, one of Beatrice’s professors calls her into his office. He believes that she has a gift for composition. Beatrice points out that teaching is a more assured career path for a Negro woman. The professor asks: “But is teaching what you want?” In a moment of transparency, Beatrice shares her deepest desire, to write music that captures “the everyday living that Negro people do.” Later Beatrice receives a letter from her mother, informing her that given the increasing hostility toward Negroes in America, she believes that Beatrice should identify as Spanish instead of Black as it will open more doors. “You will thank me one day,” she says, “for saving your face from the sun.”

PART 3

Little Rock, Arkansas, 1910 – In the wake of Beatrice’s father’s death, her mother decides to leave Arkansas and take advantage of the lightness of her skin elsewhere. The two women say goodbye. Beatrice understands that she will never see her mother again.

PART 4

Chicago, Illinois, 1931 – Beatrice, slowed by an injury, works to finish her Symphony in E Minor. Her daughter, also named Florence, makes sure that she eats. Beatrice wins the Wanamaker Prize for her composition. Beatrice’s daughter remembers how happy her mother was the night the Chicago Symphony Orchestra premiered the work. Sadly, after winning the prize, Beatrice’s career stalls. She writes numerous letters to conductors across the country, mostly notably, Dr. Koussevitzky, the conductor of the Boston Symphony, who has championed many American composers. After numerous correspondences, Dr. Koussevitzky stops writing back. Beatrice’s daughter marvels at her mother’s tenacity and talent, despite the many setbacks. She is proud to be her daughter. And proud to share her name. Florence.