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Sabathani Vintage Voices singers perform with Robert Graham conducting. Photo Credit: Novelli Jurado

Vintage Voices: Journey On, My Friends!

Jun 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

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

The St. Olaf Choir with Anton Armstrong, conductor, looking up.

Concert: VocalEssence and the St. Olaf Choir

Oct 29 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Um! Yah! Yah! (Need we say more?!) VocalEssence is thrilled to join forces with one of the most prestigious choirs in the country, hailing from right in our backyard. VocalEssence singers will be joined by the St. Olaf Choir under the magnificent batons of Philip Brunelle, G. Phillip Shoultz, III, and Anton Armstrong. Music will…

VocalEssence singers holding black folders performing at Northrop with brass and percussion players conducted by G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Photo Credit: Tony Nelson Photography

Concert: Welcome Christmas 2023, Dec 9

Dec 9 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Feliz Navidad, Happy Christmas, God Jul, and Veselykh Svya—this year’s Welcome Christmas features music for all to enjoy! Experience the passion of all four VocalEssence ensembles singing together on one stage presenting carols from around the world. Hear new and familiar favorites, including the world premiere of three beloved Latvian carols by composer Ēriks Ešenvalds,…

VocalEssence singers holding black folders performing at Northrop with brass and percussion players conducted by G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Photo Credit: Tony Nelson Photography

Concert: Welcome Christmas 2023, Dec 10

Dec 10 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Feliz Navidad, Happy Christmas, God Jul, and Veselykh Svya—this year’s Welcome Christmas features music for all to enjoy! Experience the passion of all four VocalEssence ensembles singing together on one stage presenting carols from around the world. Hear new and familiar favorites, including the world premiere of three beloved Latvian carols by composer Ēriks Ešenvalds,…

The bottom half of a violin with sheet music, pine, and cranberries adorning the front of the fiddle on rustic wood background. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock Image

Concert: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio 2023, Dec 15

Dec 15 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

“Shout for joy!” Back by popular demand, the Bach Society of Minnesota and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers renew their collaboration to tell one of the greatest musical Christmas stories of all time. Hear three cantatas from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio as well as cantata 147, beloved for its setting of the tune “Jesu, Joy…

Concert: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio 2023, Dec 16

Dec 16 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

“Shout for joy!” Back by popular demand, the Bach Society of Minnesota and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers renew their collaboration to tell one of the greatest musical Christmas stories of all time. Hear three cantatas from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio as well as cantata 147, beloved for its setting of the tune “Jesu, Joy…

Philip Brunelle, conductor, looks into the camera smiling with his hands open and near his face. Photo Credit: Anna Min

Concert: Philip’s Favorites, 4 PM

Feb 4, 2024 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

For 55 years, Philip Brunelle has been at the helm of VocalEssence, and now he is celebrating another milestone—his 80th Birthday—with no plans of slowing down! In honor of this monumental occasion, we will perform some of Philip’s favorite works from the past 55 years. Join us as we go down memory lane, rediscovering music…

Philip Brunelle, conductor, looks into the camera smiling with his hands open and near his face. Photo Credit: Anna Min

Concert: Philip’s Favorites, 7 PM

Feb 4, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

For 55 years, Philip Brunelle has been at the helm of VocalEssence, and now he is celebrating another milestone—his 80th Birthday—with no plans of slowing down! In honor of this monumental occasion, we will perform some of Philip’s favorite works from the past 55 years. Join us as we go down memory lane, rediscovering music…

Yellow and purple crocuses blooming in the grass. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock Image

Concert: Hope Renewed

May 3, 2024 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

In a program that explores our relationships with one another and with creation, VocalEssence seeks to give fresh life to justice and hope sharing a message celebrating the wide circle of life that provides room for all to grow and thrive. Featuring commissions by Daniel Godfrey and Marcus Simmons, and the latest piece by ACDA…

Melanie DeMore, holding a pounding stick, stands in front of VocalEssence singers also holding pounding sticks. Photo Credit: Kyndell Harkness

Concert: WITNESS: Leading with Love

Mar 17, 2024 @ 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Beloved vocal activist, soulful singer, and composer Melanie DeMore returns to Minnesota using her music as what she calls “a weapon of mass connection.” Featuring music by Damien Geter, Marques Garrett, Joel Thompson, and songs from the African diaspora, WITNESS: Leading with Love is the place to hear Melanie and VocalEssence share the world premiere…

VocalEssence logo, Together We Sing, 2023-2024 Season, with singers holding black folders performing at Northrop. Design: Lora Joshi, Photo Credit: Tony Nelson Photography

Subscribe: VocalEssence 2023-2024 Season

May 12, 2023 @ 8:00 am - Feb 4, 2024 @ 5:00 pm

TOGETHER WE SING Subscribe and join VocalEssence as we celebrate 55 years of singing together. From collaborations with the St. Olaf Choir, the Bach Society of Minnesota, and Northrop to exciting commissions by vocal activist Melanie DeMore, Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds, and Minnesota’s own Jocelyn Hagen and Kyle Pederson, this season is sure to make…

2023-2024 Season Press Photos

To Download: Click on the image in the gallery below and a high resolution version will appear for download. For press/promotional use related to VocalEssence events only.

Bridge to the Future Meets Goal

VocalEssence is thrilled to share the wonderful news that the Bridge to the Future campaign has reached its goal of $4.5 million! Our deepest gratitude goes out to the 101 individuals and institutions who have invested in the future of VocalEssence and helped us surpass our initial goal by $1 million. These gifts are already…

VocalEssence Radio Special—Song of Joy: The Mendelssohns on YourClassical MPR

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…

Adult Choir Auditions

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