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.
VocalEssence is blessed to have so many committed supporters. Thank you for all that you do to keep our community singing! Although we make every effort to ensure that our Honor Roll list is accurate and complete, we are capable of error. Please let us know if your name does not appear the way you…
Across the history of Western classical music, rarely do we find two major composers whose journeys toward artistic maturity were as closely intertwined as Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn’s. Born just over three years apart (Fanny on November 14, 1805, Felix on February 3, 1809), they were the oldest of four children born to Abraham and…
The VocalEssence Singers Of This Age were invited to perform at the second annual Arc Toward Justice program at the last Westminster Town Hall Forum of the season on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. The event featured Michele Norris and Yamiche Alcindor who discuss all that has happened in the two years since the murder of George Floyd. The… Read More →
By Kaitlyn Doolittle Minnesota Monthly | May 4, 2022 https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/travel-recreation/recreation/weekend-best-bets-may-5-8/?utm_campaign=Minnesota%20Monthly%20Newsletter%20-%20Daily&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=212168440&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–Ov7IxP03CvQAsxDNVhod32itjRV_loo5KMn_ydx9qykE2F00vTvv6bQjsfpkxhlaQgquxhhbAqwnNO71Buj6IEXmOmEwJD_vNTuOp3SrRmjfN14A A circus, a Cinco de Mayo celebration, a plant sale, and more are happening this weekend in the Twin Cities area Everything Is…Fine What: Preview Performance of “Back to Workshop, or Everything is Fine!” When: May 5-May 7, May 11-May 13; 7:30 p.m. Where: Brave New Workshop, 824… Read More →
By Jon Bream Star Tribune | May 05, 2022 https://m.startribune.com/the-police-stewart-copeland-minneapolis-oratorio-sting-vocalessence-mall-of-america-andy-summers/600170658/?clmob=y&c=n Stewart Copeland is going choral with VocalEssence and says no more Police reunions. Stewart Copeland has written scores for movies and TV shows, composed operas and oratorios and music for ballets and video games. He’s directed a rockumentary, authored a memoir and performed with orchestras. This year,… Read More →
Jamie Chamberlain, soprano Praised for her “shimmering tones” and “star struck vulnerability” by Opera News, Greek-American Soprano Jamie Chamberlin is recognized for her versatility as both a singer and as an actress. ArtsInLA hailed her role debut as Cunegonde in Long Beach Operaʼs Candide as “jawdropping”. Most recently at LBO, Ms. Chamberlin earned rave reviews for her…
Grand Rapids Herald Review | March 18, 2022 https://www.grandrapidsmn.com/news/vocalessence-takes-the-music-of-bob-dylan-on-a-minnesota-tour/article_f3180904-a4a9-11ec-aa15-a795169a94f8.html From Jimi Hendrix to the Kronos Quartet, Bob Dylan’s music has been covered by just about everyone. Members of the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers will present their own take on Minnesota’s native son. “The Times They Are A-Changin’: The Words and Music of Bob Dylan,”… Read More →
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 →
By SHEILA REGAN Pioneer Press | December 4, 2021 https://www.twincities.com/2021/12/04/music-review-vocalessence-bach-society-deliver-healthy-dose-of-rejoicing-in-christmas-oratorio/ Decked out with birch trees and wreaths, the Basilica of Saint Mary in downtown Minneapolis brought in the Christmas season when the combined forces of VocalEssence and the Bach Society of Minnesota presented four of the six Cantatas that make up Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio.” Situated… Read More →
By Katherine Lawless Minnesota Monthly | October 14, 2021 https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/travel-recreation/recreation/weekend-best-bets-oct-14-17/?utm_campaign=Minnesota%20Monthly%20Newsletter%20-%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=170892188&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–wQ19DN3ZzEfY4zNYauHGba4XtCbAeoH7kjajasXaN2SZAlS5cL9_ChbZ0Tn-BoVhTzmL0VcG5sPZNU9fJQgoZW0JidQ0lFVEwTS_2FnrMcVP554Y&utm_content=170892188&utm_source=hs_email Things to do this weekend around the Twin Cities: VocalEssence, Summit Brewing, Cafe Meow, and more VocalEssence’s 2021-22 season is underwayPHOTO BY KYNDELL HARKNESS Girls in Film What LunaFest When: Thursday-Saturday, October 14-16 Where: Virtual In a virtual film fest that benefits Girls on the Run Minnesota—a nonprofit… Read More →
By Pamela Espeland MinnPost| August 24, 2021 ALSO: Malamanya live at Lyndale Gardens; Teresa Mock presents “The Uncertainty Principle”; and August Green Roof Poetry at the Walker. Special guests for this year’s “Witness” concert at Orchestra Hall will be the Aeolians, the world-renowned choir from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. Courtesy of VocalEssence Dear Artscape… Read More →
By ROSS RAIHALA | rraihala@pioneerpress.com Pioneer Press | August 6, 2021 https://www.twincities.com/2021/08/06/vocalessence-season-to-include-bob-dylan-tour-and-new-composition-by-the-polices-stewart-copeland/ “Music Moves Us” is the theme of VocalEssence’s recently announced 2021-22 concert season. The Minneapolis choral music group will return to in-person concerts in a variety of venues. Concerts will also be streamed online free of charge. Season tickets go on sale Aug. 23, with single… Read More →
By: Pamela Espeland MinnPost | March 25, 2021 https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2021/03/when-can-the-arts-reopen-dr-fauci-says-if-we-are-careful-sometime-in-the-fall/?fbclid=IwAR1afJbgFtNRDnPWRLKgC_53bct5MT2I7wmMa24V4jzIdFPXlj9B-SD637c Dr. Anthony Fauci: “Get vaccinated when you are eligible, continue to wear a mask, and socially distance when out in public.” Susan Walsh/Pool via REUTERS ALSO: VocalEssence’s “Call of the North” features Minnesota composers and poets; Davina and the Vagabonds to livestream from the Dakota; and… Read More →
As we near the end of our 52nd season, we are hearing many beautiful stories of hope and transformation through music. Meet Isaiah Bates
