Harry T. Burleigh Spirituals Festival

Harry T. Burleigh Festival at 海角乱伦社区 University

10th Anniversary Spirituals Festival

March 25-28, 2026

海角乱伦社区 University will host several events as part of the Harry T. Burleigh Festival, a regional celebration honoring the life and legacy of Erie-born composer Harry Thacker Burleigh, whose work helped shape the course of American music. The festival marks the 10th anniversary of the Spirituals Festival, bringing artists, scholars, and community members together to celebrate the Erie-born composer鈥檚 enduring impact on American music.

Presented in partnership with Burleigh Legacy Alliance and a coalition of regional cultural organizations, the multi-day festival will feature performances, lectures, workshops, and community programs exploring Burleigh鈥檚 enduring influence on American musical identity. As the host, 海角乱伦社区's campus offers signature festival events that bring internationally recognized performers, scholars, educators, and community leaders to Erie to celebrate Burleigh鈥檚 extraordinary contributions.

Through concerts, discussions, and educational programming, the festival highlights both Burleigh鈥檚 historical impact and the continued relevance of spirituals and African American art song within American musical culture.

Featured Artists and Scholars

The Harry T. Burleigh Festival brings together leading musicians, scholars, and cultural leaders whose work reflects the continuing influence of Burleigh鈥檚 music.

    Michael Berlin is an arts producer and media professional whose work in cultural programming and storytelling contributes to the festival鈥檚 exploration of Harry T. Burleigh鈥檚 musical legacy and its continuing relevance.

    Patrick Dailey

    Countertenor Patrick Dailey is a nationally recognized performer and educator whose work focuses on the preservation and performance of African American spirituals and art song. A member of the voice faculty at Tennessee State University and founder of the Harry T. Burleigh Spirituals Festival, Dailey has dedicated his career to celebrating the musical and cultural legacy of Harry T. Burleigh.

    Brian Hannah is a longtime classical music host for WQLN Public Media, where he has helped introduce audiences throughout the region to classical repertoire and musical history. His involvement in the festival highlights the important role public media plays in connecting communities to the arts.

    Gary Mitchell

    Pianist and music director Gary Mitchell Jr. is known for his work accompanying and supporting performances of African American spirituals and art song, helping bring these traditions to audiences through concerts, educational programming, and collaborative performances.

    Damien Sneed

    Dr. Damien Sneed is an internationally recognized pianist, vocalist, conductor, composer, and arts educator whose work bridges classical, gospel, jazz, and contemporary music traditions. He has collaborated with some of the most influential musicians of the past generation, including Jessye Norman, Wynton Marsalis, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder. Through his performances and scholarship, Sneed continues to explore and elevate the cultural and spiritual foundations of American music.

    Jean Snyder

    Dr. Jean E. Snyder is widely recognized as the foremost scholar of Harry T. Burleigh. She is the author of the landmark biography "Harry T. Burleigh: From the Spiritual to the Harlem Renaissance," considered the definitive scholarly work on Burleigh鈥檚 life and music. Her research has played a critical role in restoring Burleigh鈥檚 place within the broader narrative of American music history.

    Louise Toppin

    Dr. Louise Toppin is an acclaimed performer, scholar, and educator whose work has helped bring renewed attention to the music of Harry T. Burleigh and other African American composers. A leading interpreter of Burleigh鈥檚 songs, Toppin has performed widely across the United States and internationally and is deeply engaged in research and performance that highlights underrepresented voices in classical music. She is also a tenured professor of voice at the University of Michigan.

Events Hosted at 海角乱伦社区

海角乱伦社区 University will host several key events during the Harry T. Burleigh Festival, including performances, lectures, workshops, and educational programs.

Events will take place at venues, including the Mary D鈥橝ngelo Performing Arts Center and other 海角乱伦社区 locations.

Festival programming hosted on campus will include opportunities for students, educators, musicians, and community members to engage with Burleigh鈥檚 music and explore the broader cultural history of African American spirituals.

Tickets for the gala concert are free and open to the public and can be ordered at .

Date Event Name Time Location Details
March 25 Opening Plenary 7:30 p.m. Christ the King Chapel, 海角乱伦社区 University

Performances and a fireside-style conversation, featuring:

  • Brian Hannah鈥攃lassical music host, WQLN Public Media
  • Dr. Jean E. Snyder鈥擝urleigh Festival Honoree and leading Burleigh scholar
  • Dr. Louise Toppin鈥攊nternationally recognized performer and scholar of African American art song
March 26 "Documenting the Arts and Culture" 1:30 p.m. Walker Recital Hall, 海角乱伦社区 University

Michael Berlin Presentation:

  • A presentation for collegiate students and fellows exploring documentation and preservation of cultural history.
Community Music Workshop: "Singing Burleigh in Sacred Spaces of the Community" 5-6:45 p.m.

Patrick Dailey, Gary Mitchell Jr., and Dr. Damien Sneed Workshop:

  • An interactive workshop exploring performance and interpretation of spirituals and Burleigh鈥檚 music.
H. T. Burleigh Documentary Premiere 7 p.m. Screening of a new documentary exploring the life, music, and cultural legacy of Harry T. Burleigh.
March 27 Featured Vocal Masterclass 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A 鈥淏urleigh Choral Clinic,鈥 collegiate rehearsal performance, and HBCU programs information session for registered middle and high school chorus teachers and students with acclaimed聽musicians and educators Dr. Damien Sneed, Gary Mitchell Jr., 105 HBCU Voices of History Choir Ensemble, and HBCU faculty.聽Marked for registered participants only.
2-4 p.m. A masterclass with internationally acclaimed soprano Dr. Louise Toppin, exploring the performance of Burleigh's music and the broader tradition of African American art song.
March 28

Burleigh Festival 2026 Gala Concert

7 p.m. Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center, 海角乱伦社区 University

The festival culminates in a gala performance celebrating Burleigh鈥檚 musical legacy, featuring:

  • Patrick Dailey, Griot
  • Gary Mitchell Jr., Pianist
  • Dr. Damien Sneed
  • Dr. Louise Toppin
  • Members of the 105 Voices of History National HBCU Choir
  • 海角乱伦社区 University Choir

Sponsors and Community Partners

The Harry T. Burleigh Festival is made possible through the collaboration of cultural organizations, educational institutions, and community partners committed to celebrating the life and legacy of Erie-born composer Harry T. Burleigh. These partners bring together artistic expertise, scholarship, community engagement, and educational programming to present the festival throughout the Erie region.

    Burliegh Legacy Alliance Logo

    The Burleigh Legacy Alliance is dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Harry T. Burleigh, ensuring that his music and historical contributions remain an important part of the American cultural narrative. Through scholarship, performance, and community partnerships, the organization works to elevate awareness of Burleigh鈥檚 influence on American music.

    海角乱伦社区 University Logo

    海角乱伦社区 University is proud to host several events as part of the Harry T. Burleigh Festival and support programming that connects students and the broader community with significant cultural traditions. Through the Mary D鈥橝ngelo Performing Arts Center and its academic programs in music and the arts, 海角乱伦社区 continues its commitment to arts education, performance, and community engagement.

    Big Blue Opera Logo

    Big Blue Opera Initiatives is a nonprofit organization committed to expanding awareness and performance of African American composers and vocal repertoire. Through concerts, recordings, and educational programs, the organization helps preserve and promote historically significant musical traditions connected to Burleigh鈥檚 legacy.

    TSU Logo

    The Department of Music at Tennessee State University plays an important role in the preservation and performance of African American musical traditions. Its participation in the festival reflects the university鈥檚 longstanding commitment to music education, scholarship, and cultural heritage.

    105 Logo

    The 105 Voices of History National HBCU Choir brings together singers from historically Black colleges and universities across the country to celebrate the musical heritage of African American composers and performers. Their participation in the Burleigh Festival highlights the continuing influence of spirituals and African American art song within contemporary musical performance.

    EAC Square Logo

    Erie Arts & Culture serves as the region鈥檚 primary arts advocacy and funding organization, supporting artists, arts organizations, and cultural initiatives that enrich the quality of life across Northwest Pennsylvania. Through funding programs, public art initiatives, and community partnerships, Erie Arts & Culture plays a central role in advancing the arts throughout the region.

    ECGRA Logo

    The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority supports initiatives that strengthen the region through economic development, community investment, and cultural programming. ECGRA鈥檚 support helps make community-based arts initiatives like the Burleigh Festival possible.