Mary Lou Prince is a composer, conductor and performer. After formal study of composition in the United States and a year in Paris with Nadia Boulanger, she lived in Japan for over two decades, working with Japanese instruments and theater forms. Her work for Japanese koto and shakuhachi won national composition awards and was performed in festivals and on "Noh" stages in Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe and Kanazawa. She was commissioned to compose new music for Geisha musicians, theater, film and a TV documentary that was shortlisted for an Emmy Award. Her music has been broadcast over numerous media including the BBC, NHK in Japan, and NPR. She has composed two symphonies, a chamber opera, solo and chamber music and choral music. Her choral song cycle Songs of the Earth was featured at the Parliament of World Religions in Salt Lake City and she was commissioned to write the theme song for the Parliament opening ceremony. Topaz, for string orchestra and harp was performed by Sinfonia Salt Lake and in Tucson at the "Nadia Boulanger and Her Students Festival."
Conducting a choir representing over 20 faith traditions in Songs of the Earth at the 2015 Parliament of World Religions in Salt Lake City
Conducting Songs of the Earth
Tabernacle on Temple Square, Salt Lake City
After the premiere performance of "Women of Courage" in Prescott Arizona, September 5 2023
