African-American composer Julia Perry died in 1979 without a will, after an illustrious career in classical music that started in the 1950’s. Nearly 50 decades later, her music is finally legally available for musicians to perform.

That’s thanks to Dr. Louise Toppin, the Director of Vidamus, a group promoting concert works by under-presented composers. Vidamus has joined with Boosey and Hawkes, to distribute Perry’s music.  Now they’re looking for more of her “lost” compositions.