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8 great holiday concerts by Twin Cities area classical groups

By Rob Hubbard Star Tribune | December 8, 2022 https://www.startribune.com/8-great-holiday-concerts-by-twin-cities-area-classical-groups/600234050/?refresh=true From a couple of different renditions of “Messiah” to choirs to “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” there’s something for everyone. Hallelujah! One of America’s best versions of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” will rise again for the first time since 2019. And Yuletide carols will be…  Read More →

Igor Stravinsky | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 22, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Igor Stravinsky.  Igor Stravinsky 1882-1971 Igor Stravinsky was a Russian-born composer whose work had a revolutionary impact on music before and after World War I and whose compositions are examples of modernism within the music…  Read More →

Craig Carnahan | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 11, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Craig Carnahan. Craig Carnahan b. 1951 Craig Carnahan is an American composer whose music has been commissioned and performed by prestigious ensembles throughout North America.  Carnahan received his B.A. from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) and…  Read More →

Gian Carlo Menotti | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 4, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Gian Carlo Menotti. This episode features Tenor Dan Dressen. Gian Carlo Menotti 1911-2007 Gian Carlo Menotti, the Italian-American composer and librettist, became the most-performed contemporary opera composer of his era. At age  7, under the…  Read More →

Cecilia McDowall | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 4, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Cecilia McDowall. Cecilia McDowall b.1951 Born in London in 1951, Cecilia McDowall’s writing combines rhythmic vitality with expressive lyricism.  She has won many awards, been short-listed eight times for the British Composer Awards, and in…  Read More →

VocalEssence Inching Closer to Year-End Fundraising Goal

December 10, 2020

  Thanks to so many generous donors, we are inching closer to our year-end fundraising goal. Check back to this page to follow our progress.   want to help us meet our goal? A gift of any amount helps keep our community singing through this pandemic! Donate

Hall Johnson | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

June 29, 2020

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Hall Johnson. Hall Johnson 1888-1970 Hall Johnson was one of a number of African American composers and arrangers who elevated the spiritual to an art form. Johnson received an extensive education, including time at the…  Read More →

Argento

Dominick Argento | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

March 23, 2020

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence founder and artistic director Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Dominick Argento. Dominick Argento 1927-2019 American composer Dominick Argento, born in York, Pennsylvania and based for much of his life in Minneapolis, is perhaps best known for his solo vocal and operatic works. He has…  Read More →

100 Baby Care Packages for Minnesota Babies

January 8, 2020

VocalEssence and the Healthy Black Pregnancies initiative are teaming up to give 100 new babies a birthday gift – their very own Baby Care Package. Each package costs $40, and we need your help to purchase supplies for 100 babies. A donation of any amount is appreciated! Click Here to Give a Birthday Gift Each…  Read More →

Old Adults Singing their Hearts Out This Spring

April 3, 2019

Minneapolis and Trillium Woods in Plymouth are busy learning and preparing music to perform at their upcoming spring concerts! This spring Rob added a new part of the program called “singer check-ins”, where each singer reserved a 10-minute time slot with Rob to test their vocal range and share any vocal health concerns they may…  Read More →