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.…
As he approaches his 80th birthday, Philip Brunelle’s impact in the world of choral music is astonishing! If you were to ask Philip Brunelle what his favorite things to do are, he would say “Celebrating rarely heard music and sharing it with the world, of course!” So, that’s what we plan to do! In honor of…
by NHL Public Relations @PR_NHL December 16, 2021 https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-winter-classic-to-celebrate-state-of-hockey/c-329066106 U.S. women’s Olympic team will be named; eight pond hockey rinks part of outdoor game NEW YORK — Minnesota’s exalted status as the ‘State of Hockey’ will be the centerpiece of the revelry surrounding the 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic®, the sold-out New Year’s Day outdoor matchup between… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Gabriela Lena Frank. Gabriela Lena Frank b. 1972 Gabriela Lena Frank is an eminent American composer of contemporary classical music. Born in Berkeley, California to a mother of mixed Peruvian/Chinese ancestry and a father of… Read More →
In 1950 the Department of the Treasury gifted each of the 50 states their own Liberty Bell—full sized replicas of the bell in Philadelphia. Each bell, created by the Christoph Paccard Bell Foundry in France, weighs approximately 2,080 pounds. The Minnesota Liberty Bell is rung on four occasions throughout the year and Philip Brunelle was given… Read More →
Philip Brunelle Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle will be spending the last part of April and early May concluding plans for the 53rd VocalEssence season and also hearing many, many singers for their spring auditions. This is always an important part of the year, inviting wonderful voices to be part of the upcoming VocalEssence… Read More →
Tutorials: Create your free VocalEssence On Demand log-in, translate and navigate the website En Español Durante la temporada 2020-2021, en VocalEssence ofrecemos programación familiar GRATIS para la comunidad Latina local. Incluyendo nuestras presentaciones únicas On Demand, que son exclusivas dentro nuevo sitio web VocalEssence On Demand. Durante más de cinco décadas, VocalEssence ha utilizado el… Read More →
GPS highlights the life and legacy of Sojourner Truth for this Sunday edition of Take 5. In addition, we take a look at the traditional Negro spiritual, “Plenty Good Room.” Learn More https://sojournertruthmemorial.org/sojourner-truth/her-history/ https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sojourner-truth https://www.nps.gov/people/sojourner-truth.htm https://www.nps.gov/articles/sojourner-truth.htm?fbclid=IwAR3AMCWZhp8tbIx8mjKWkza0pHyzVthADFVhfwRogfSv5QjGR_U6mrCeq0M Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and produce. Consider sponsoring a day or… Read More →
For this Saturday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the artistic and administrative accomplishments of dancer, Judith Jamison, and also shares a terrific Duke Ellington standard, “I’m Beginning to See the Light.” Learn More https://www.alvinailey.org/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater/judith-jamison http://pressroom.alvinailey.org/album?c=25045&t=video&p=24&s=order https://www.ted.com/speakers/judith_jamison Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and produce. Consider sponsoring a day… Read More →
It’s Friday, and what better way to celebrate the end of another week than a little bit of singing? Join GPS as he sends us off into the weekend and shares a little about author Zora Neale Hurston. Our musical pairing is “In the Still of the Night,” by Fred Parris as performed by Fred… Read More →
On today’s edition of Take 5, GPS celebrates acclaimed printmaker and sculptor, Elizabeth Catlett, whose work reflects her interest in African art and social issues in the United States and Mexico. Our musical pairing is “I’ll Come Back To You,” as performed by Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers. Learn More https://www.elizabethcatlettart.com/bio https://nmwa.org/art/artists/elizabeth-catlett/ https://philamuseum.org/calendar/exhibition/artist-focus-elizabeth-catlett https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/elizabeth-catlett-41… Read More →
It’s Wednesday and GPS is getting ready for another Wednesday edition of Take 5. Today he’ll be sharing about Wilma Rudolph, the first woman to win 3 gold medals at the Olympic Games. Our musical pairing is “Git On Board, Little Children,” a traditional Negro Spiritual. Learn More https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/wilma-rudolph https://www.biography.com/athlete/wilma-rudolph https://usopm.org/wilma-rudolph/ Sponsor Black Excellence Each… Read More →
On this Tuesday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the contributions of Ann Lowe, first African American to be recognized as a fashion designer. Lowe’s one-of-a-kind designs were a favorite among high society matrons from the 1920s to the 1960s. Our musical pairing is “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.… Read More →
