Leslie Burrs has developed a variety of programs which have been successfully performed in concert halls and schools around the country. Below is a description of these concerts, ranging from small ensemble to full orchestra to fully staged opera.

The opera, orchestra and chamber music programs presented by Leslie Burrs are ideal for concert series that express an interest or emphasis on American music, contemporary music, African-American contributions, or have a desire to develop a broader based community audience.

For more information about any of these programs, or to arrange a performance for your concert event, please contact: Leslie Burrs.

• Opera: VANQUI

"The quintessential American Opera."  VANQUI has won the acclaim of the opera community from the rural mid-west to The Sorbonne in Paris, France. Composer Leslie Burrs received The Legacy Award from the National Opera Association (February 2002) for this opera, and renown librettist John A. Williams received the 1998 American Book Award for his book of poetry, Safari West that includes four poems from the VANQUI libretto. Performances of VANQUI played to sold-out houses during its October 1999 premiere run in Columbus, Ohio, to audiences made up in large part by individuals who had never before attended an opera. In October 2004 VANQUI was presented at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture to commemorate the African Burial Ground in New York City. The most recent full production of VANQUI was presented in Philadelphia at the Prince Music Theater, May 2005 by Opera North, Inc. In 2006 a multi-media concert production of Mr. Burrsí opera VANQUI will be presented at the University of Maryland as part of the Clarice Smith Performing Artsí Defining Moments, American Sensibilities series. This production will feature the projected artwork of David C. Driskell.

VANQUI is a tale of death and resurrection through the eyes of the heroine, Vanqui, a 19th century slave woman. The original music of Leslie Savoy Burrs and the libretto by John A. Williams brings new sound and text to this performance by framing a uniquely American experience in a compelling, multi-dimensional work of art. The opera portrays the story of two Africans, Vanqui and Prince. Enslaved in America, this married couple is forcibly separated and then both are cruelly murdered. They are resurrected as spirits who ride the wind searching for each other and for the Baobab tree. During their journey, they encounter famous freedom fighters including Harriet Tubman, Henry "Box" Brown, Nat Turner, Frederick Douglass, and John Brown. Reunited in the end, Vauqui and Prince symbolize the triumph of slaves over an inhumane system and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.

This opera can be performed as a full production or in a concert version. For more information about VANQUI, reviews and performance benefits, please click here.

From National Public Radio: "Burrs and Williams spoke with NPR's Tavis Smiley about their opera and its signature blend of jazz, classical and African music cues -- a sound Burrs calls "urban classical." To hear this interview and excerpts of VANQUI, visit this NPR link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1596584

• Orchestra Programs

These original works by Leslie Burrs incorporate classical, contemporary and African-American music idioms defined as URBAN CLASSICAL MUSIC. These programs are composed for full symphonic orchestra with solo flute and bamboo flutes, electronic instruments and world percussion, but may also be performed by orchestra and solo flute alone. This program makes a strong dynamic presentation due to not only the musical component but also the visual aspect of the exotic African and South American instruments used in performance. These works have been on the same programs with compositions by Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Igor Stravinski, Bach and Beethoven.
For more information about Leslie Burrs' orchestral programs, please click here.

Program I: Walking With The Spirits
This orchestra program Walking With The Spirits represents varying historical and cultural aspects of the American and African American experience. These include musical commentary on gospel and spiritual choral concepts, symphonic perspectives on jazz and prominent African American figures of the 20th century.
Click here for additional program notes on Walking With The Spirits.

Program II: SunDawn - Family Concert For Orchestra
This program consists of original compositions for bamboo flute and orchestra and solo flute and orchestra. The audience is introduced to new musical words and concepts in an educational and entertaining fashion.
Click here for full description of SunDawn

Program III: Vanqui - The Orchestra Concert Version
This orchestra concert presentation of VANQUI is a tale of death and resurrection through the eyes of the heroine, Vanqui, a 19th century slave woman. The original music of Leslie Savoy Burrs and the libretto by John A. Williams brings new sound and text to this performance by framing a uniquely American experience in a compelling, multi-dimensional work of art.
Click here for full description and reviews of VANQUI

• Leslie Burrs' Orchestra Diversity and Education Programming page.

• Chamber Music Program

This program is a complete set of original compositions by Leslie Burrs scored for varying combinations of strings, woodwinds, piano, harp, voice, flutes and bamboo flutes.

• Solo Flute Performances

This presentation is for students ranging in age from elementary school to college. These "informances" are educational and entertaining with an emphasis on audience interaction. The informances are slightly altered to accommodate the need and interest of the specific age groups. This program is also well-suited for adult audiences and general population.

• Flute and Piano Recital

This performance generates an intimate atmosphere, evoking the aesthetics and traditions of a classical recital with an emphasis on contemporary concepts.

• CHAKABA

Chakaba is the Urban Classical Music ensemble created by flutist/composer Leslie Burrs. Urban Classical Music incorporates African-American, classical and contemporary music idioms. As a soloist, Burrs' inspired combination of classical virtuosity and dazzling improvisation has captivated audiences across the U.S. and Europe. Chakaba's performances reveal the mystical richness of their instruments, while capturing the vast spectrum of world music.

The core ensemble (flute and bamboo flutes, piano, bass, and percussion) may incorporate string quartet or orchestra, or be further expanded to include dancers, narrator and screen projected images.

For performance options and perspectives on CHAKABA, click here.

• Special Events Project

An Artist-in-Residence program could involve a college or university music department's chorus, student instrumentalists and the CHAKABA ensemble. This program enables the students to work closely with artists who have obtained international stature and recognition of their abilities. These works have been performed by a number of colleges and school districts.

For more information about Leslie Burrs' Artist-in-Residency programs, please click here.

Leslie Burrs' photograph by Lee Wojnar
Vanqui photographs by Joe Garvin