In memoriam: Legh Burns (1935-2016)

Legh W. Burns, founding music director and conductor of the Saratoga Orchestra, passed away on November 15, 2016.

Burns was a Professor Emeritus at the University of Oklahoma School of Music, former first trumpeter with the United States Air Force Band in Washington D.C. He taught at the Springfield, Illinois Junior College. He also taught at the University of Denver, where he founded the National Trumpet Symposium. The many performing organizations he founded and conducted include the Washington Chamber Ensemble, the Festival Chamber Orchestra of Denver, the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, Oklahoma Youth Symphonies which toured thirteen foreign countries including China in 1981, and founded The Guy Fraser Harrison Academy for the Performing Arts. For his contributions to the arts and music education, Burns received the Music in Education Award by the Governor of Oklahoma.

Legh Burns graduated from The University of Miami (FL) earning a Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance. He studied with conductors and musicians, Pierre Monteux, Herbert Blomstedt, Richard Lert and Renee Longy. 

A concert to celebrate his life and legacy will take place on Whidbey Island in Washington on April 8, 2017. The family requests donations be made in Legh Burns' honor to the Saratoga Orchestra Legh W Burns Fund, PO Box 1524, Langley, WA 98260.

Source: Saratoga Orchestra