Start Monday off right with this edition of Take 5, where we honor the rich legacy of Black women in history with a look at the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, American Civil Rights Activist, Community Organizer, and Speaker. Our musical pairing is “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around,” traditional song from the Civil… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Francis Grier. Francis Grier b.1955 Francis Grier is an English composer, organist, pianist, and psychoanalyst, best known for his compositions for choir and voice. He was a chorister at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, music… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer William Dawson. William Dawson 1899-1990 William Dawson was a leading African-American arranger of spirituals as well as a distinguished choral conductor. At age 13, Dawson ran away from home to enter Tuskegee (Institute) University. He… Read More →
Today marks the second day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (1856-1931), one of the first physicians to perform open-heart surgery in the United States. His musical inspiration comes from the Stevie Wonder’s 1984 hit “I Just… Read More →
“The two of us watched your musical moments together each day and they truly were the highlight of his day.” —Tracy Rode, Jack Cole’s daughter Jack and Ann Cole were treasured by so many, including VocalEssence. We are humbled to know that Philip Brunelle’s Musical Moments were such a comfort to Jack in his last… Read More →
“The two of us watched your musical moments together each day and they truly were the highlight of his day.” —Tracy Rode, Jack Cole’s daughter Jack and Ann Cole were treasured by so many, including VocalEssence. We are humbled to know that Philip Brunelle’s Musical Moments were such a comfort to Jack in his last… Read More →
By Cathy Wurzer | MPR News Published: December 16, 2020 7:03 a.m. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/12/16/vocalessence-pushes-forward-with-annual-christmas-concert Artistic director Philip Brunelle leads VocalEssence in one of its previous holiday performances. Courtesy of Bruce Silcox Like so many holiday traditions, VocalEssence’s annual “Welcome Christmas” concert looks a little different this year. Still, the choral ensemble hopes the music brings… Read More →
“I am so excited to watch this. Thank you to your entire team for bringing this to our world. As a choir director (middle school and high school), I am facing constant challenges of how to keep my 150 students engaged, motivated, and inspired. Thank you!” —Melanie Brink, music teacher in the Middle East region of Muscat, Oman We are so excited… Read More →
By Pamela Espeland | MINNPOST PUBLISHED: December 4, 2020 Christmas concerts coming up; Louise Erdrich at One Book, One Minnesota Dr. Anton Armstrong conducting the Massed Choirs and St. Olaf Orchestra during the 2019 Christmas Festival. Courtesy of St. Olaf College And suddenly it’s December. Hard to believe almost nine months have passed since the first… Read More →
As we close out the most challenging year in our 52 year history, we are hearing some shining stories of resilience and moments of joy. Liza and Jim Ervin are singers in the VocalEssence Vintage Voices choir at Trillium Woods. It was December 2015 when they moved to the Twin Cities from Connecticut. Fortunately, friends… Read More →
In this time when so much seems broken or difficult, don’t we all want to feel some joy? Sometimes feeling joy can come from being the person who helps even just one person through the uncharted waters of 2020. Now is your chance. Teachers are tired right now. They are being asked to do so… Read More →
By Pamela Espeland | columnist MinnPost Published: OCTOBER 16, 2020 https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2020/10/g-phillip-shoultz-iii-of-vocalessence-stopping-has-never-been-an-option-for-me/ Shoultz leads the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers (32 professional singers), the VocalEssence Chorus (115-120 volunteer singers) and the youth choir VocalEssence Singers of This Age, aka VESOTA. Photo by Kyndell Harkness G. Phillip Shoultz III at the start of the pandemic: “So the first step was triage. Let’s… Read More →
ABOUT VOCALESSENCE VocalEssence, called “one of the irreplaceable music ensembles of our time” by Dana Gioia, past chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts—and the choral ensemble that Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones says “sings magnificently”—impacts thousands of students, singers, and composers each year through its initiative programs, contests, and support for innovative…
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