HENRY, Lois

Lois Henry has an extensive background as a composer, pianist (solo and collaborative), organist, coach, and conductor. In 2019 she was commissioned by the Kukua Institute to write and perform in a song cycle for five opera singers and piano entitled Viola! Song Cycle. Viola! premiered at the University of West Florida, and is based on the story of Viola Edwards, a trained nurse who opened the first black hospital in Pensacola in 1922. After its success, Lois was commissioned by soprano Kara Grover to compose another song cycle entitled, BELLESONGS, on the texts of Colorado poet Belle Turnbull. BELLESONGS premiered at Florida State University in 2021. As a composer, her works span vocal, and choral music for colleges, high schools, churches, soloists and concert halls.