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Welcome Christmas in the News

There is so much excitement about Welcome Christmas this season! Check out the articles and videos below and make sure to watch Almanac on Twin Cities PBS (TPT) from 7-8 PM CST on Friday, December 18th to see a preview of Welcome Christmas! Minnesota Public Radio News Interview with Cathy Wurzer and G. Phillip Shoultz,…  Read More

MPR News: What’s it like to perform with the Rolling Stones?

Jon Collins · Jun 4, 2015 Listen Story audio 3min 54sec Mick Jagger in Minneapolis Jeff Wheeler | Star Tribune via AP VocalEssence artistic director Philip Brunelle didn’t hesitate when the Rolling Stones asked if his choir would perform on the song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” at the band’s Minneapolis show. “I said,…  Read More

KSTP News: Mpls. Students Rehearse for Biggest Gig Yet with Grammy-Winning Group

Updated: 11/20/2014 5:18 PM Created: 11/20/2014 4:40 PM KSTP.com By: Kate Renner [Please note VocalEssence correction: Gary Hines, not Greg Hines] Students at South High School in Minneapolis are preparing Thursday for a performance they probably won’t forget. Members of the school’s varsity choir program are partnering with Grammy award winning musicians to sing this…  Read More

Philip Brunelle Featured on Connect the Dots

Choral music called … and Philip Brunelle answered “Connect the Dots” from Minnesota Now | February 20, 2024 Cathy Wurzer, Chris Farrell and Ellen Finn Philip Brunelle has done it all. Currently, he’s the founder and artistic director of VocalEssence. VocalEssence is based at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. Brunelle has led the choir for 55 years. A…

VocalEssence singers holding black folders performing at Northrop with brass and percussion players conducted by G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Photo Credit: Tony Nelson Photography

Welcome Christmas 2023 Digital Concert Program

FEATURING: VocalEssence Chorus VocalEssence Ensemble Singers VocalEssence Singers Of This Age VocalEssence Vintage Voices Brass and Percussion Ensemble Casey Rafn, piano Mary Jo Gothmann, organ Philip Brunelle, conductor G . Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor

Choral legend Sigrid Johnson to be honored with premiere of ‘Song in My Heart’

October 18, 2023 By Brian Newhouse| YourClassical https://www.yourclassical.org/story/2023/10/18/choral-legend-sigrid-johnson-honored-with-premiere-of-song-in-my-heart?utm_campaign=Choral+Stream+Newsletter+-+20231022&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sfmc_Newsletter&utm_content=  Sigrid Johnson often said, “God gave me two beautiful sons, and every year I’m blessed with 100 daughters.” She conducted St. Olaf College’s 100-voice first-year women’s chorus, the Manitou Singers, for decades. And on Oct. 29 at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, the Minnesota choral legend will…  Read More

Minnesota Montly’s Best Bets: Oct. 23-29

October 23, 2023 By Minnesota Monthly| Minnesota Monthly https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/travel-recreation/recreation/best-bets-oct-23-29/?utm_campaign=Minnesota%20Monthly%20Newsletter%20-%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=279527892&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–mDnRbIebBMZItZ9HSnrIZCDT8WFT6BVeH9LAuaeVUrGR88cJtsDvKYqr_LtGBeXfjGMPwxABedwqLimFWfvJZV2oQgQWwJCBAxkXuwFUeelyDGro&utm_content=279527892&utm_source=hs_email Things to do around Minnesota this week include a VocalEssence concert, Twin Cities Film Fest, Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, and more VocalEssence kicks off its 55th concert season What:  VocalEssence and the St. Olaf Choir When: Oct. 29 Where: Central Lutheran Church, 333 S. 12th St., Minneapolis Um! Yah! Yah! (Need…  Read More

St. Olaf Choir to perform concert with VocalEssence

October 10, 2023 By Connor Boritzke Smith | St. Olaf College https://wp.stolaf.edu/news/st-olaf-choir-to-perform-concert-with-vocalessence The St. Olaf Choir will join forces with VocalEssence for a collaborative concert at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis on Sunday, October 29 at 4 p.m. The concert will be conducted by Anton Armstrong ’78, conductor of the St. Olaf Choir, and Philip Brunelle and…  Read More

VocalEssence Gala 2024 logo with the words "Celebration of Song" and the event date and location in gold in front of a geometric colorful background. Design credit: Lora Joshi

VocalEssence Gala 2024

May 11 @ 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Save the date for the VocalEssence Gala: Celebration of Song on the evening of Saturday, May 11, 2024! Join us for an enchanting evening dedicated to celebrating the power of singing together. Immerse yourself in a world where melodies soar, hearts harmonize, and voices unite to create unforgettable moments. This event is a testament to…  Read More

Bridge to the Future Meets Goal

VocalEssence is thrilled to share the wonderful news that the Bridge to the Future campaign has reached its goal of $4.5 million! Our deepest gratitude goes out to the 101 individuals and institutions who have invested in the future of VocalEssence and helped us surpass our initial goal by $1 million. These gifts are already…

Poet Joe Davis is ‘Reawakening Love’

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

Joe Davis and G. Phillip Shoultz, III Interviewed on WCCO

A.J. Hilton and Heather Brown interview G. Phillip Shoultz, III and Joe Davis on WCCO On Monday, February 20, Joe Davis, artist, and G. Phillip Shoultz, III, associate artistic director were interviewed on WCCO. They shared information about the collaboration between Joe Davis and VocalEssence and what to expect at WITNESS: Reawakening Love on Saturday,…  Read More

VocalEssence Strategic Plan 2022-2025

VocalEssence celebrates singing as an essential human expression. Artistic quality, passion for singing together, and reputation for engaging people are hallmarks of our impact. As our community changes, we have developed this strategic plan to address our future in three key areas, keeping singing together at the center of our work.