"VocalEssence is one of the irreplaceable music ensembles of our time."
-Dana Gioia, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts

VOCALESSENCE ANNOUNCES ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY 2008-2009 SEASON

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Download a PDF of the new Season Brochure

Listen to Artistic Director Philip Brunelle discuss the 40th Anniversary Season with Minnesota Public Radio's John Birge

VocalEssence celebrates its 40th Anniversary Season with founding Artistic Director Philip Brunelle. The 130-voice VocalEssence Chorus and 32-voice Ensemble Singers perform six season concerts, two community performances, and a special 40th Birthday Party hosted by Garrison Keillor.

Season highlights include:

* Choral superstar Eric Whitacre conducting a world premiere of his music

* National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master Billy Taylor performing his composition Peaceful Warrior

* An unprecedented choral collaboration among seven of Minnesota's most prestigious professional and community choruses joining forces for a Dominick Argento world premiere, composed in honor of the 40th Anniversary of VocalEssence.

* Berlioz's colossal Te Deum with The St. Olaf Choir and full orchestra-including twelve harps!

* Bernstein's Mass and the world premiere of Lawrence Siegel's Kaddish: Music of Remembrance and Hope

* World premieres of "El Niño de los Andes" (The Child of the Andes) by Ecuadorian composer Diego Luzuriaga and two new carols on the Welcome Christmas! Program

* Two exciting Community Concerts-Star of Wonder and ¡Cantaré!.

Become a VocalEssence subscriber online now and receive a voucher for a FREE VocalEssence CD! Create your own subscription package, choosing three, four, five, or the full six-concert subscription and save up to 31% off regular single ticket prices! Subscribers also receive free ticket exchanges and pay no fees on additional single tickets.

Six-concert subscribers also receive a free ticket to the VocalEssence 40th Anniversary Birthday Party hosted by Garrison Keillor (a $40 value).

You may also purchase a subscription by calling the Orchestra Hall Box Office at (612) 371-5642 (toll-free at 800-292-4141 x 642), or by visiting the Box Office in person at the corner of 11th Street and Marquette Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. Single tickets for VocalEssence performances go on sale on July 1, 2008.

View the complete 2008-2009 season press release