Come and experience the sounds of the Sabathani Vintage Voices of the Sabathani Senior Center in Journey On, My Friends!, a concert filled with songs, poems, and reflections that will remind us to embrace life’s journey with all its ups and downs through the power of music. Free and open to the public. Click the… Read More →
About Our Audition Process Registration for the 2023-24 season is now open for the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus. Read below for information about each ensemble and the audition requirements. Ensemble Singers Auditions Eight paid positions per section; professional experience required. Ensemble Singers re-audition annually. Auditioning for the Ensemble Singers consists of two rounds: Round 1… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Arthur Foote. Arthur Foote 1853-1937 Arthur Foote, was an American church musician, influential music teacher, and a leading member of a group of composers known as the “Boston Six.” Foote was especially known for chamber… Read More →
By Star Tribune staff Star Tribune | OCTOBER 14, 2021 https://www.startribune.com/our-friday-best-james-sewell-ballet-rodrigo-y-gabriela-kosher-grocers-and-more/600106488/ Critics’ picks for Twin Cities entertainment this weekend and beyond. Photographer: Jim Mimna Rodrigo y Gabriela James Sewell Ballet JSB’s 30th anniversary tour was cut short last year, but the celebration is back with bells on. A program this weekend highlights favorite works from… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Gottfried Homilius. Gottfried Homilius 1714-1785 The industrious German composer and organist, Gottfried Homilius, was known for his larger church works which, in the latter part of the 18th century ranked very high. He enrolled at… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Louis Vierne. Louis Vierne 1870-1937 French composer and organist Louis Vierne is best known for his work at Notre Dame de Paris where he focused on organ music, including six organ symphonies and a Messe… Read More →
Sabathani Vintage Voices summer 2021 Concert On June 30, 2021, after nearly 16 months apart, the Sabathani Vintage Voices made their post-pandemic concert debut! Performing for family, friends and neighbors, the singers shared songs and spoken word, including several original poems written by our singers that celebrated the beloved community, coming together in unity, and… Read More →
This year our the 31st annual VocalEssence WITNESS concert is available on VocalEssence On Demand AND will be televised across Minnesota on Twin Cities PBS (TPT). Here are the air dates and times on stations TPT 2 and TPT Life: Saturday, May 29: WITNESS broadcast at 7 PM on TPT LIFE Sunday, May 30: WITNESS broadcast at 1 AM…
GPS highlights the life and legacy of Sojourner Truth for this Sunday edition of Take 5. In addition, we take a look at the traditional Negro spiritual, “Plenty Good Room.” Learn More https://sojournertruthmemorial.org/sojourner-truth/her-history/ https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sojourner-truth https://www.nps.gov/people/sojourner-truth.htm https://www.nps.gov/articles/sojourner-truth.htm?fbclid=IwAR3AMCWZhp8tbIx8mjKWkza0pHyzVthADFVhfwRogfSv5QjGR_U6mrCeq0M Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and produce. Consider sponsoring a day or… Read More →
For this Saturday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the artistic and administrative accomplishments of dancer, Judith Jamison, and also shares a terrific Duke Ellington standard, “I’m Beginning to See the Light.” Learn More https://www.alvinailey.org/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater/judith-jamison http://pressroom.alvinailey.org/album?c=25045&t=video&p=24&s=order https://www.ted.com/speakers/judith_jamison Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and produce. Consider sponsoring a day… Read More →
It’s Friday, and what better way to celebrate the end of another week than a little bit of singing? Join GPS as he sends us off into the weekend and shares a little about author Zora Neale Hurston. Our musical pairing is “In the Still of the Night,” by Fred Parris as performed by Fred… Read More →
On today’s edition of Take 5, GPS celebrates acclaimed printmaker and sculptor, Elizabeth Catlett, whose work reflects her interest in African art and social issues in the United States and Mexico. Our musical pairing is “I’ll Come Back To You,” as performed by Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers. Learn More https://www.elizabethcatlettart.com/bio https://nmwa.org/art/artists/elizabeth-catlett/ https://philamuseum.org/calendar/exhibition/artist-focus-elizabeth-catlett https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/elizabeth-catlett-41… Read More →
It’s Wednesday and GPS is getting ready for another Wednesday edition of Take 5. Today he’ll be sharing about Wilma Rudolph, the first woman to win 3 gold medals at the Olympic Games. Our musical pairing is “Git On Board, Little Children,” a traditional Negro Spiritual. Learn More https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/wilma-rudolph https://www.biography.com/athlete/wilma-rudolph https://usopm.org/wilma-rudolph/ Sponsor Black Excellence Each… Read More →
On this Tuesday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the contributions of Ann Lowe, first African American to be recognized as a fashion designer. Lowe’s one-of-a-kind designs were a favorite among high society matrons from the 1920s to the 1960s. Our musical pairing is “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.… Read More →
On this Sunday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the contributions of Dorothy Irene Height, whose organizational and operational skills were unmatched leading to her prominent role in the movement for Civil Rights and her opportunities to consult with US Presidents and First Ladies. We revisit the Black church for our musical inspiration as we… Read More →
