FEATURING: Melanie DeMore, guest artist VocalEssence Chorus VocalEssence Ensemble Singers VocalEssence Singers Of This Age VocalEssence Vintage Voices Casey Rafn, piano Philip Brunelle, conductor G . Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor
On Sunday, January 28, 2024, the VocalEssence Singers Of This Age joined a consortium of choirs from around the Twin Cities in a song share celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park. The mood was festive as songs were sung in myriad languages and ensembles positioned all around the space…
In 2022-2023 VocalEssence completed an extended strategic planning process that included revised mission, vision, and values statements and new strategic imperatives to achieve the impact we wish to have in society. VocalEssence celebrates singing as an essential human expression. Artistic quality, passion for singing together, and reputation for engaging people are hallmarks of our impact.…
FEATURING: The St. Olaf Choir VocalEssence Chorus VocalEssence Ensemble Singers Jocelyn Hagen, piano Catherine Rodland, organ Anton Armstrong, conductor Philip Brunelle, conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor
Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend Minnesota Now, MPR | February 22, 2023 https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2023/02/22/joe-davis-is-reawakening-love Artist Joe Davis gives a spoken word performance during the 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration: Building Black Wealth event on Jan. 16. Tim Evans for MPR News Minneapolis-based artist, speaker and educator Joe Davis is having a breakout year. He tours… Read More →
On September 24, many gathered together at the Hilton Minneapolis for the VocalEssence Gala 2022: Celebration of Song, which celebrated all the ways singing together improves our singers’ lives and our community! The evening was filled with song, a live and silent auction, delicious food, an engaging program with a powerful event video (see above),…
VocalEssence is thrilled to announce that our VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (VESOTA) graduating seniors and mentor singers will receive scholarships to help them pursue their future dreams! In addition, VocalEssence will secure funding to continue to offer scholarships to future graduating members of VESOTA. Graduating VESOTA singers will be awarded funds for each year…
by Dawn Novak and Jim Bream Star Tribune | May 6, 2022 https://m.startribune.com/6-cool-things-in-music-charlap-placebo-naomi-judd-dee-dee-bridgewater-joy-oladukon-stewart-copeland/600170973/?clmob=y&c=n A half-dozen cool things in music, from two points of view: Dawn Novak of Electric Fetus: 1 Placebo, “Never Let Me Go.” I’ve been a fan of Placebo ever since their 1996 self-titled album. Their eighth studio album is a banger that shows these… Read More →
VocalEssence is a 501(c)(3) organization governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. The VocalEssence Board of Directors is comprised of up to 30 members who represent a wide range of backgrounds including corporate, non-profit, education, community, and leadership experience. Current Board Fast Facts 2022-23 Budget VocalEssence in the Community Mission, Vision, Values, adopted in 2022…
VocalEssence was fortunate to have two fantastic interns this summer: Aaron Schondorf and Blake Wieseler. Each and every voice that contributes to, or participates in our mission is an essential part of our community. We are thrilled to share the projects these two have worked on during their time at VocalEssence. Aaron Schondorf, a Carleton… Read More →
The young singers who took a chance on an innovative new model for a diverse high school choir and became the founding members of the VocalEssence Singers of This Age (VESOTA) are graduating! Four years ago, they chose the name, they set the tone, they created a welcoming culture that drew younger singers in…and now… Read More →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 jennifer@owl-marketing.com TWIN CITIES CHORAL COMMUNITY TO PRESENT “VOICES RISING: A CHORAL AFFIRMATION OF BLACK LIVES” Twelve-chorus collaboration to be livestreamed June 16 at 7 PM CST on YourClassical MPR MINNEAPOLIS—May 20, 2021—Voices Rising: A Choral Affirmation of Black Lives, is a collaboration of 12 local choral organizations that is a united artistic… Read More →
By Pamela Espeland MinnPost | May 12, 2021 Guthrie to start presenting plays in October; the weekend’s hybrid Art-A-Whirl Guthrie to start presenting plays in October; the weekend’s hybrid Art-A-Whirl ALSO: VocalEssence’s “Witness 2021” concert to livestream; Collide Theatrical Dance Company presents “Wonderland”; and more. On Thursday, July 8, the Guthrie, including the Amber Box on… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Thomas Tallis. Thomas Tallis 1505-1585 The career of the English composer Thomas Tallis spans the troubled period of the reign of Henry VIII to the reign of the last Tudor monarch, Queen Elizabeth I. These… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Randall Thompson. Randall Thompson 1899-1984 The skilled composer and music educator Randall Thompson, well-known for his Alleluia, transformed American music and his choral music has been more widely performed than that of any other American… Read More →
