Since November 2016, the Tennessee State University Department of Music and the Big Blue Opera Initiatives has hosted the Harry T. Burleigh Spirituals Festival. Beginning as a commemoration of the 150th birthday of the pioneering African American composer and musician and celebration of the legacy of the American Negro Spiritual, the Burleigh Festival focuses on a different area of the Spiritual and African American music under various themes annually. 

The Burleigh Festival features panel discussions and lecture presentations led by prominent scholars and musicians, choral clinics for attendees in varying stations in study, a vocal masterclass focused in performance practice and style of African American music, and a scholarship benefit concert in support of the Harry T. Burleigh Fund for Vocal Studies at Tennessee State University. Each year, the Burleigh Festival grows exponentially in attendance, partnerships, and support, adding new innovations and programming such as the 2019 world premiere of the Tupac Shakur Art Song Project. The National Museum of African American Music has been a core partner since its inception with the Burleigh Legacy Alliance of Erie, PA and the 105 Voice of History following shortly after. Other partners and supporters have included ALIAS Chamber Ensemble, the Harry T. Burleigh Society, 91Classical Radio, Early Music City, Weirdo Workshop, Hoskins and Co., Classically Black Podcast, and Intersection Contemporary Music Ensemble. We are delighted to welcome the Nashville Gospel and Sacred Music Coalition and the Nashville Symphony as partners for this year.