Vox A Capella Band from Mexico recently visited the Midwest and made a special trip to the Twin Cities. Led by former VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! composer, Julio Morales, the group spent time with the moms and their babies at Longfellow Alternative High School, attended and performed at the VocalEssence Chorus and Singers Of This Age rehearsals,…
For the first time in the ensemble’s history, the VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (SOTA) boarded a plane to embark on a tour outside the Midwest! From February 12-16, 2026, 37 SOTA singers and 4 staff members traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on a trip that included both extraordinary choral experiences and important cultural engagements. On day #1, having arrived just in time…
For the second year in a row, at the request of the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) choir teachers, VocalEssence partnered with MPS to hold an All District Choir Festival. On Wednesday, January 28, more than 300 singers from Minneapolis Public Middle and High Schools gathered together at Ted Mann Concert Hall on the University of…
On Sunday, January 18th, 2026, a cathartic Martin Luther King tribute concert was held at Westwood Lutheran Church. VocalEssence Associate Artistic Director G. Phillip Shoultz, who is also the cantor at Westwood, curated the program, which was inspired by a well-known MLK quote, “faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole…
VocalEssence is thrilled to announce the addition of five new members to its Board of Directors. The VocalEssence Board of Directors serve as ambassadors for the organization in the larger community. They also guide VocalEssence in all major policy decisions while ensuring the financial stability of the 57-year-old nonprofit. “I’m delighted to welcome our new…
VocalEssence has a deep and rich history of nurturing community and bridging cultural differences through the power of singing together. And for many years, the NEA has funded the VocalEssence WITNESS program, which celebrates the contributions the Black community makes to the fine arts and to our common cultural heritage. When it comes to federal…
VocalEssence has several opportunities to listen and watch over the holidays. Here are the ways you can enjoy VocalEssence programming: VocalEssence On Demand Enjoy inspiration on your schedule! This digital content is available whenever and wherever! View our digital releases-including the newly released highlights from Welcome Christmas 2024 at Northrop, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio from 2023…
VocalEssence is thrilled to announce the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors. The VocalEssence Board of Directors serve as ambassadors for the organization in the larger community. They also guide VocalEssence in all major policy decisions while ensuring the financial stability of the 56-year-old nonprofit. “I’m delighted to welcome our new…
At this year’s WITNESS: Leading with Love concert, VocalEssence was thrilled to feature a showcase of Black makers and entrepreneurs who align themselves with the message of “leading with love.” Target Atrium at Orchestra Hall was bustling with activity on the day of the event. There were book readings, songs sung, improv comedy skits performed,…
“Telling our stories takes time and space.”—Healing Beats Session Participant “We are all connected. We are all ancestors.”—Healing Beats Session Participant Over the past few months VocalEssence held Healing Beats Sessions led by Melanie DeMore at five sites around the Twin Cities. Melanie DeMore has expertise in the traditions of the Gullah persons from the…
Philip Brunelle: The 55th VocalEssence season is in full swing and Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director, is delighted to be rehearsing music for the October 29 opening concert with the Ensemble Singers and the Chorus. In late August he spent 10 days in Brittany and then visited daughter Elise and family in Vermont…
VocalEssence is thrilled to announce the addition of six new members to its Board of Directors. The VocalEssence Board of Directors serve as ambassadors for the organization in the larger community. They also guide VocalEssence in all major policy decisions while ensuring the financial stability of the 55-year-old nonprofit. “I’m delighted to welcome our new…
Philip Brunelle: This month has been full of celebrations for Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director. On August 14, the rain stopped and the clouds parted as 120 of Philip’s closest friends joined him in celebrating his 80th birthday at the home of Marilyn Carlson Nelson. It was a wonderful celebration of food, singing,…
Philip Brunelle: This month has been memorable in many ways for Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director. With the VERY successful completion of the Bridge to the Future campaign where we reached our $4.5 million goal, we celebrated with a reception at the home of Cay Shea on a beautiful June evening. Several days later…
American Public Media and Classical Minnesota Public Radio will present a new VocalEssence radio special, Song of Joy: The Mendelssohns, hosted by John Birge. The one-hour program will air on Easter Sunday, April 9, at noon on YourClassical Minnesota Public Radio 99.5 FM in the Twin Cities and online at yourclassical.org. It will be available…
