Minnesota is a land of 10,000 lakes, choirs and composers! “Go local” and celebrate all that Minnesota has to offer with a concert chock full of pieces by longstanding Minnesota composers from Dominick Argento to Stephen Paulus and Libby Larsen, as well as new generation composers Jocelyn Hagen and Hip-hop artist Dessa. Dale Warland makes his debut conducting the Ensemble Singers in Dominick Argento’s Seasons, a piece written especially for Dale. From Dessa’s first choral premiere of her career to Dominick Argento’s most recent masterpiece, you will be sure to ‘Hail! Minnesota’ by the finale!

VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers
Dessa
Andy Thompson, arranger & co-composer
Chamber orchestra
Philip Brunelle, conductor
Dale Warland, conductor
Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, conductor

Concert Conversations at 3 pm with composers Libby Larson, Jocelyn Hagen and Dessa

Supported by Land O’Lakes and an Arts Tour grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Don Shelby as Mark Twain will go on the road to Greater Minnesota to celebrate life on the Mississippi River. Through choral music and the spoken word, VocalEssence will take listeners on a musical journey of the past and present – choral masterpieces, favorite folksongs, traditional spirituals, and Americana – all paired with the words of Mark Twain.

VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
Don Shelby, actor
Jon Cranney, director
Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, conductor

Tickets through Shattuck-St. Mary’s Box Office: 507-333-1620

Supported by Land O’Lakes and an Arts Tour grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Don Shelby as Mark Twain will go on the road to Greater Minnesota to celebrate life on the Mississippi River. Through choral music and the spoken word, VocalEssence will take listeners on a musical journey of the past and present – choral masterpieces, favorite folksongs, traditional spirituals, and Americana – all paired with the words of Mark Twain.

VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
Don Shelby, actor
Jon Cranney, director
Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, conductor

The Young People’s Chorus of New York City® (YPC), founded and conducted by MacArthur “genius” Fellow Francisco J. Núñez, is a multicultural youth chorus internationally renowned for its superb sound and electrifying performances. Frequent performers at Carnegie Hall, YPC regularly accepts invitations to represent the U.S. at international choral festivals, and is frequently seen on national TV with such guest artists as Joshua Bell, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, and NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis. Audiences rave about YPC’s ability to equally execute everything from classical to gospel, pop and world music with energy that leaps from the stage.  For a little concert preview, listen to YPC performing “Rikitikitavi” and check out videos of “Vere Languores Nostros” and “Take This Hammer.” This is a performance not to be missed!

Young People’s Chorus of New York City®
Francisco J. Núñez, conductor

“Nobody reviews YPC and says ‘they’re really good for kids.’ They say they’re really good – period.” – John Schaefer, Radio Host, WNYC

Concert Conversation at 7 pm with conductor Francisco Núñez

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