Photo: Charles Burrell, Jr. (Facebook) See article below on Mr. Burrell – at 103! At the Charles Burrell Visual & Performing Arts Campus, students are immersed in comprehensive arts programs and rigorous academics so that they are ready to pursue creative careers or college degrees. Extensive performances and exhibitions give students opportunities and platforms to display their talents so that they become confident and develop their artistic potential. Our inspiring faculty who are practicing artist/educators work with students individually and encourage intellectual and artistic curiosity so that students work toward advanced levels of creative and artistic professionalism. Our diverse and talented staff and students create a community of shared passion, diverse perspectives, knowledge, skills, and professional expertise where students develop self-awareness and become well-rounded artist-scholars.
We Value. . .
Confidence
We model confidence for our students by believing in ourselves as we make informed decisions, take risks, persevere, and self-reflect.
Creativity
As a creative community, we celebrate the journey of individual and collective expression by honoring innovation, curiosity, imagination, and authentic experiences.
Care
We are an empathetic, inclusive community that values everyone by creating safe spaces and amplifying voices.
https://burrellarts.aurorak12.org/
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Denver Honors Local Musical Pioneer Charlie Burrell for MLK Jr. Day
By Michael Abeyta, CBS Colorado News
Charlie Burrell was the man of honor at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Awards held in downtown Denver. At 102 years old he is retired now, but back in his day he was a musical giant.
“He was a pathfinder and opened up the path for other people to follow him,” said his cousin and fellow musician Purnell Steen.
Burrell grew up loving classical music and played standup bass in jazz bands and at his school in the symphony, but he says his professional symphony career was thanks to pure chance.
“Oh, that’s a very simple story. A fluke,” said Burrell.
After being in the Navy, in 1949 Burrell got a job at Fitzsimmons Hospital. One day on the streetcar home from work he saw a man with a peculiar-looking case.
“Charlie asked him if that were a case for a bass violin bow,” said Steen.
It was, and the man happened to be John VanBuskirk, the principal bassist for the Denver Symphony. After talking with Burrell, VanBuskirk was so impressed that he invited Burrell to try out for an open position.
“So, Charlie went and interviewed, and he had this long exhaustive interview,” said Steen.
Burrell got the gig and was the first Black musician in the world to be hired to play in a symphony. His cousin says it was a terrific opportunity but a tough position to be in. Especially on the night of his debut.
“There were people saying, ‘Oh my God, what have – what did they doing?’ You would have thought that World War 3 had just erupted on the stage. ‘They hired a negro’,” said Steen.
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Go here to read more of the story:
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-honors-local-musical-pioneer-charlie-burrell-mlk-jr-day/
Michael Abeyta is a general assignment reporter/MSJ for CBS News Colorado. Read his latest reports or check out his bio and send him an email.
Photo: Charles Burrell, Jr.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php
The Charles Burrell Visual & Performing Arts Campus – The Artistic Flagship of Aurora Public Schools
