Talented Tenth Apprentice Program

Inspired by the principles of African American scholar W.E.B. DuBois, the VocalEssence Talented Tenth Apprentice Program (TTAP) offers urban-area high school students, who may not otherwise have such opportunities, to receive professional music and vocal training. Students are empowered, enlightened and encouraged to become community leaders in a lifetime pursuit of singing and contributing to the choral tradition.

In partnership with Minneapolis South High School from 2009-2010, Ginger Commodore worked with the Talented Tenth students, teaching them selected repertoire from the WITNESS concert.  Students rehearsed with the VocalEssence Chorus and sang at the annual WITNESS concert, which focused on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 2009 and Sweet Honey In The Rock in 2010.  Students also performed this repertoire at a school assembly alongside members of the VocalEssence Chorus.

For the 2010-2011 season, Minneapolis South High School will take a hiatus from the Talented Tenth Apprentice Program, so that their entire choir can participate in ¡Cantaré!, a composer residency program that engages diverse communities in the discovery, celebration and creation of music inspired by Mexican traditions, past and present.  We eagerly anticipate their return to TTAP in 2011-2012 and wish their choir the best of luck in their ¡Cantaré! residency.