Editor's introduction.(Harry T. Burleigh )(Editorial)

Publication: Black Music Research Journal

Publication Date: 22-SEP-04

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COPYRIGHT 2004 Center For Black Music Research

The articles on the life and work of African-American composer-singer-arranger Harry T. Burleigh featured in this issue of Black Music Research Journal originated in presentations at the 2003 national conference "The Heritage and Legacy of Harry T. Burleigh," sponsored by Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. This first national conference on Burleigh's life and work was designed to focus on the heritage of African-American culture that shaped Burleigh and on his multifaceted legacy: the broad scope of his work as a singer, a composer of art songs, a pioneer arranger of spirituals and music editor, and a role model and mentor for singers, composers, and arrangers who have followed him.

At the conference, Horace C. Boyer presented a demonstration-lecture on Burleigh's compositional style and a lecture-recital tracing the lineage from spirituals to gospel songs. Ann Sears discussed the pianism and vocalism in Burleigh's songs and with tenor William A. Brown gave a lecture-recital of songs by Burleigh's friend Will Marion Cook. The Rev. Charles Kennedy Jr. presented his one-man show Deep River, in which he brings Burleigh to life as an elderly man reflecting on his long career. A teacher's workshop led by Odell Hobbs and a choral workshop led by Roland Carter...

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