H.T. Burleigh was an influential African American composer and arranger born in 1866 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He studied at the National Conservatory of Music in New York, where he worked closely with Antonín Dvorák. Dvorák encouraged Burleigh to arrange and preserve American spirituals. Burleigh went on to arrange over 100 spirituals and compose over 200 original art songs. He had a successful career as a singer, music editor, and composer, becoming the first African American on the board of directors of ASCAP. Burleigh helped establish the spiritual as an American musical genre and promote appreciation of African American music.

1. (1866-1949)

2. Harry Thacker Burleigh
(1866-1949)
• Named after father, Henry Burley
• Wrote over 200 songs
• Development of American Art Song
• First ‘acclaimed’ African-American composer
– Art song
– Spirituals
• Charter Member of ASCAP
(American Society of Composers, Authors, and
Publishers)

3. H.T. Burleigh
The Early Years
• Born in Erie, Pennsylvania
• December 2, 1866
• Received first music training from his mother.
• Elizabeth Russell, employed HT for musical events at her home.
• Talented baritone – soloist/recitals in churches & synagogues
• In 1892, received a scholarship (with help of Mrs. Frances
MacDowell - Edward MacDowell) to the National Conservatory
of Music in New York
• Studied with John White and Max Spicker
(counterpoint), Christian Fritsch (voice), and Rubin Goldmark
(harmony)
• Orchestra and librarian

4. THE CONSERVATORY YEARS
National Conservatory in New York (1855-1952)
Greatly influenced his career
Worked with Antonín Dvorák, the Conservatory's director.
Spent countless hours recalling spirituals and songs
encouraged to preserve these melodies in his own compositions
Dvorák Symphony no. 9 in E minor ("From the New World")
"Goin' Home" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" - Burleigh
Burleigh served as copyist for Dvorák
Prepared him for his future as a music editor.

5. . . . inspiration for truly national music might be
derived from the Negro melodies or Indian chants. I
was led to take this view partly by the fact that the
so-called plantation songs are indeed the most
striking and appealing melodies that have yet been
found on this side of the water, but largely by the
observation that this seems to be recognized, though
often unconsciously, by most Americans. . . . The
most potent as well as most beautiful among
them, according to my estimation, are certain of the
so-called plantation melodies and slave songs, all of
which are distinguished by unusual and subtle
harmonies, the like of which I have found in no other
songs but those of old Scotland and Ireland.

6. • Founded by Jeanette Thurber
- One of the first patrons of Classical Music
- Paris Conservatory
• Philanthropists, including , Andrew Carnegie
• Victor Herbert and Anton Dvorak
NY Time Obituary
“But it was Mrs. Thurber who established a
precedent in this field which never will be
forgotten, as one of the works which made her life
and her vision and invincible spirit so valuable to
the musical advancement of America.”
The National Conservatory in New York

7. In 1894
• Auditioned soloist at St. George's Episcopal Church of NY
• Congregation objected because Burleigh was black
• He was given the position.
He held the appointment over fifty years
Missing only one performance during his tenure at S.GEC
Won the hearts and respect of the church community

8. • Next several years were productive
• 1898 - he married poet Louise Alston
• 1899 - Alston, their son was born
• G. Schirmer published his first three songs.
• 1900 - First African-American soloist at Temple Emanu-El
• 1911 - Editor for G. Ricordi
• Publication of several of his compositions
• "Ethiopia Saluting the Colors" (1915)
• Collection entitled Jubilee Songs of the USA (1916)
• Arrangement of "Deep River" (1917)

9. The Jungle Flower
• Five Songs of Laurence Hope
• British Poet - Adela Florence Cory
• Published: Recordi, 1915
• Themes:
• Nostalgia
• Past love, remembered emotion
• Love and Death
• Music reflects the poetry’s sentiment
• Romantic parlor ballad
• Accompaniments – full and expressive
• Vocal lines – effusive and lyric
• Declamatory

12. Deep River – H.T. Burleigh
“Deep river, my home is over Jordan….
deep river, Lord, I want to cross over into campground”
• Traditional song of the Negro Spiritual repertoire
• There are reportedly over 6000 traditional spirituals*
• Songs were created in the fields
• Spiritual reinforcement
• Encouragement
• Coded Messages – most often on Biblical texts
• Deep River refers to the Jordan River
• Jordan River - Ohio River line between slave and free states
• “Campground” – bush meetings, spiritual gatherings or Heaven
• Songs were created in the fields
• Published in several versions, Vocal – 1916/17 – Miss Mary Jordan
• Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, and John McCormack
*http://americanstrings.blogspot.com/2012/01/deep-river.html

13. Other Repertoire
260+ vocal works and 187 choral works
Saracen Songs
– Frank Bowles, 1914
Passionale
– James Weldon Johnson, 1915
"Ethiopia Saluting the Colors"
– Walt Whitman, 1916
“Exile"
– Inez Maree Richardson, 1922
"Lovely Dark and Lonely One"
– Langston Hughes, 1935

14. Burleigh’s Last Years and Legacy
 Entered a nursing home in 1946
 Died, September 12, 1949 – age 82
 Over 2,000 mourners attended the funeral
Successfully established the Negro spiritual
Also, composed serious art song
At 75, first African-American on the ASCAP Board of Dir.
Spingarn Achievement Medal (NAACP)
Atlanta University (M.A., 1918)
Howard University (D.M.A., 1920)
Liturgical Calendar: Episcopal Feast Day - September 11

15. Internationally known baritone, composer, and arranger of
spirituals. Encouraged by Anton Dvorak. He created arrangements
for over 100 spirituals, such as “Deep River,” “Swing Low,” and
“Nobody Knows.” One of Erie’s most beloved native sons, buried in
White Plains, NY, 1949 and reinterred here May 28, 1984.
“Steal Away, Steal Away Home”