VocalEssence – Philip Brunelle, artistic director

VocalEssence WITNESS recordings showcase the music of trailblazing African American composers — the soul of American classical music. Order from Clarion at www.clarionrecords.com or by calling 1-800-367-9059.

"In this ground-breaking series of recordings, Philip Brunelle and the artistic forces of VocalEssence have championed the nearly forgotten artistry of the classical African-American composer. They have given the world of music an inestimable gift!” –– Dr. Anton Amstrong, Professor of Music and Conductor of the St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf College

A complete set of all four WITNESS CDs in a deluxe box set edition at a special price.

Music of Today's Black Composers

Thought-provoking and moving music by eight modern composers spans the range of expression from solo cello to chorus, from jazz ensemble to woodwind quintet.

Anthony Elliott, cello; Yolanda Williams, Dan Dressen, Maria Jette, soloists; VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus with orchestra; Philip Brunelle, conductor.

“Beautifully sung with fine choral balance." — Gramophone

1. Mother to Son Undine Smith Moore (1955); Yolanda Williams, soprano; VocalEssence Chorus
2. We Shall Walk Through the Valley Undine Smith Moore (1977); VocalEssence Ensemble Singers

from Lamentations: Black Folk Song Suite Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson (1973); Anthony Elliott, cello
3. II Song Form
4. IV Perpetual Motion

5. An Old Black Woman, Homeless and Indistinct Joseph Jennings (1995); VocalEssence Ensemble Singers with orchestra

from Dance Like the Wind William Banfield (1995); Woodwind quintet
6. She’s Making Coffee (Act A, scene 4)
7. All Four in the Car (Act B, scene 5)
8. Dance Like the Wind (Island Sway) (Act B, scene 6a)

9. Tambourines to Glory Undine Smith Moore (1973); VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
10. My Soul Hath Found Refuge in Thee (Psalm 91) Evelyn Simpson-Curenton (1996); Dan Dressen, tenor; VocalEssence Chorus
11. Nocturne Adolphus Hailstork (1984) Maria Jette, soprano; VocalEssence Ensemble Singers

from Piece for String Orchestra Billy Childs (1989)
12. II Slow
13. III Fast

Images, Shadows and Dreams: Five Vignettes David Baker (1993); VocalEssence Ensemble Singers; Jazz Ensemble
14. I Rents Due Monday
15. II The Nonagenarian
16. III If There Be Sorrow
17. IV The Rebel
18. V Let Me Tell You How to Meet the Day

Music of William Grant Still

William Grant Still’s music for chorus, orchestra and organ brings the blues into the concert hall, ragtime to the ballet stage and the Old World into a new era.

William Warfield, narrator; Hilda Harris, Yolanda Williams, soloists; VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus with orchestra; special guests Leigh Morris Chorale: Philip Brunelle, conductor.

"I found much pleasure in this music, from the profound, disturbing vocal works to joyous, light-hearted, toe-tapping dances." - American Record Guide

1. Wailing Woman (1946); Yolanda Williams, soprano; VocalEssence Chorus with orchestra
2. Swanee River (Old Folks at Home); VocalEssence Ensemble Singers

And They Lynched Him on a Tree (1940); Hilda Harris, mezzo soprano; William Warfield, narrator; Leigh Morris Chorale; VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
3. We’ve swung him higher
4. Look dere
5. Oh, sorrow
6. He was her baby
7. They took away his freedom
8. They left him hanging

Miss Sally’s Party (1940); A ballet for string orchestra
9. Introduction
10. The Square Dance
11. Tia’s Dance
12. Toby and Tip’s Dance
13. The Country Dance
14. Miss Sally’s Dance
15. Jim Slick’s Dance
16. The Cake Walk Contest

17. Reverie (1962); Philip Brunelle, organ
18. Elegy (1963); Philip Brunelle, organ

Spirituals and Gospels for Chorus

Stirring spirituals and rousing gospel melodies sung by a superb chorus. VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus with orchestra and jazz band; special guests Moore by Four; Philip Brunelle, conductor

"Flawless choral singing, presented with a genuine feeling of compassion and warmth." — BBC Music Magazine

1. Witness Jack Halloran (1986)
2. Hush! Somebody’s Callin’ My Name arr. Brazeal W. Dennard (1986); Yolanda Williams, soprano
3. Death Is Gonna Lay His Cold Icy Hands on Me arr. André Thomas (1993); James Bohn, baritone; Sanford Moore, piano
4. Walk Together, Children arr. William Henry Smith (1937); Sanford Moore, piano
5. Were You There? arr. Robert Scholz (1982); Brian Link, tenor
6. Elijah Rock arr. Moses Hogan (1992)
7. This Train 7:39 arr. Sanford Moore (1988); Moore by Four; Sanford Moore, piano; Robert Commodore, drums; Jay Young, bass
8. Jesus, Lover of My Soul arr. Richard Smallwood (1992); Music/J.S. Bach; text/Charles Wesley; Moore by Four; Philip Brunelle, piano
9. My Lord, What a Mornin’ arr. Harry T. Burleigh (1929)
10 Go Down, Moses arr. Robert A. Harris (1984); Yolanda Williams, soprano
11. In Dat Great Gittin’ Up Mornin’ arr. Jester Hairston (1930); Yolanda Williams, soprano
12. Crucifixion Adolphus Hailstork (1973)
13. Go Where I Send Thee arr. André Thomas (1989); Michael Jorgensen, baritone; Charles Kemper, piano
14. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot arr. Dale Adelmann (1988); Steve Burger, baritone
15. Go,Tell It on the Mountain arr. Sanford Moore (1993)
Moore by Four; Sanford Moore, piano; Robert Commodore, drums; Jay Young, bass
16. What a Mighty God arr. Michael Abels (1992); Moore by Four and the VocalEssence Chorus; Sanford Moore, piano; Joe Pulice, drums; Gordon Johnson, bass

Classical Music in the Jazz Age
Vibrant music from the crossroads — South and North, African and American, church and street — characterizes the era between 1914 and 1930.

Jearlyn Steele, soprano; Michael Forest, tenor; Paul Shaw, piano; VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus with orchestra; Philip Brunelle, conductor.

“The works on this excellent recording [by VocalEssence] capture the spirit of the age, and the outstanding performances capture the spirit of the music. From the absolute stunning beauty of the pieces by Florence Price to the greatness of both Rhapsodies, they are all winners.” -- Joseph Jennings, Music Director, Chanticleer

1. Saint Louis Blues William C. Handy, arr. Hall Johnson (1914/1936); Jearlyn Steele, VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
2. O Southland Harry T. Burleigh (1919)
3. Song for Snow Florence B. Price (1930)
4. Moon Bridge Florence B. Price (1930)
5. Listen to the Lambs R. Nathaniel Dett (1914)
6. Ethiopia’s Paean to Exaltation Harry T. Burleigh (1921)
7. Poor Mourner’s Got a-Home at Last arr. Carl Diton (1914)
8. Yamekraw: A Negro Rhapsody James P. Johnson, orchestrated by William Grant Still (1927); Paul Shaw, piano, with orchestra
9. The Chariot Jubilee R. Nathaniel Dett (1919); Michael Forest, tenor, VocalEssence Chorus with orchestra
10. Charlestonia: Folk Rhapsody for Orchestra, No. 1 Edmund Thornton Jenkins (1917)
11. Ave Maria R. Nathaniel Dett (1930); Ryan French, baritone, VocalEssence Ensemble Singers

“Big band” orchestra, soloists, the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers and conductor Philip Brunelle gather to celebrate the music of Duke (Edward Kennedy) Ellington — not only a great performer and band leader, but also considered the most important composer in jazz history.

Duke Ellington’s adventurous spirit opened the way for the next generation of African American composers including William Banfield and Stephen Newby, and the first half of the concert will explore the “Ellington Effect” — how these composers and others have been influenced by his music.

Ellington's career was accelerated by his national radio appearances on the weekly Cotton Club broadcast, making his name a household word in America. After intermission, Sanford Moore will be our host for a re-enactment of the grand old days of the radio program, complete with sound effects by Tom Keith (the sound guru of A Prairie Home Companion).

The highlight of our radio program will be music from Ellington's "Sacred Concerts" — a fusion of jazz, classical music, choral music, spirituals, gospel and blues featuring Dennis Spears as baritone soloist.

Expect unique, dramatic sounds from WITNESS: The Duke Ellington Effect...including a first for VocalEssence – chorus with tap dancer!