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Harry Thacker Burleigh (1866-1949) was an influential African American composer, arranger, and singer, known for his contributions to the preservation and promotion of spirituals and African American folk music. Here are some interesting facts about him and his connection to the spiritual "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child":

1. Musical Background:

   • Harry T. Burleigh was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and showed an early aptitude for music.
   • He began his musical career as a baritone singer and became associated with the American art song movement.

2. Education and Influence:

   • Burleigh studied music at the National Conservatory of Music in New York City, where he was the first African American student to enroll.
   • One of his mentors at the conservatory was the famous Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, who encouraged Burleigh to preserve and promote African American musical traditions.

3. Arranger and Composer:

   • Burleigh became renowned for his arrangements of African American spirituals, which he infused with a sense of artistry while preserving their authenticity.
   • "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" is one of the spirituals he arranged, and his rendition of this song is particularly famous.

4. Spirituals Collection:

   • Burleigh compiled and published several collections of African American spirituals, including "Jubilee Songs of the USA" (1916) and "Negro Spirituals" (1940).
   • His work played a crucial role in introducing spirituals to a wider audience and preserving them for future generations.

5. Legacy and Recognition:

   • Harry T. Burleigh's contributions to American music and the preservation of spirituals have earned him recognition as a key figure in African American musical history.
   • He influenced later generations of musicians, including composers like William Grant Still and performers such as Marian Anderson.

6. Performing Career:

   • Burleigh had a successful career as a singer, performing as a soloist at prominent venues and with major orchestras.
   • His deep, resonant voice and expressive singing style made him a sought-after performer.

7. Later Years:

   • In his later years, Burleigh worked as a music editor for the G. Ricordi Company, where he continued to arrange and publish spirituals.
   • He passed away in 1949, leaving behind a lasting legacy in American music.

"Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" remains a poignant and powerful spiritual, and Harry T. Burleigh's arrangement has contributed significantly to its enduring popularity.