Philip Brunelle featured in Choral Journal
Philip Brunelle began Musical Moments as a way to connect and bring joy to people during the pandemic, but now the catalog of composers and their works will be shared broadly through… Read More →
Together We Sing
A Ukrainian Prayer
There are times where it is difficult to know how to respond to tragedy. On the evening of Ash Wednesday, composer John Rutter heard Valentin Silvestrov’s choral setting of the… Read More →
“Ščedryk”, a Song for Ukraine
Our hearts are with the people of Ukraine. Please enjoy “Ščedryk”, a Ukrainian New Year’s carol by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovich, arranged by Philip Brunelle. This carol, traditionally sung on January 13,… Read More →
VocalEssence Holiday Programming Information
VocalEssence has several opportunities to listen and watch over the holidays. Here are the ways you can enjoy VocalEssence programming: 2021 VocalEssence Digital Concerts These concerts can be accessed anytime,… Read More →
VocalEssence Welcomes Seven New Board Members
This fall, VocalEssence welcomed seven new members to our board of directors. We are thrilled to introduce you to our new directors! Cassie Garnett, Senior Director of Human Resources at… Read More →
Lean Into Hope
Watch as Philip Brunelle and and G. Phillip Shoultz, III, share their artistic vision for the VocalEssence 2021-2022 season opener, Hope Lives Here. Get your tickets to Hope Lives Here… Read More →
Live Dancing and Singing—Sublime!
Watch as Philip Brunelle and Lise Houlton, Artistic Director of Minnesota Dance Theatre, discuss the partnership between Minnesota Dance Theatre and VocalEssence. Philip asks what it is like to dance… Read More →
Philip Brunelle Previews Gabriel Kahane Commission
Watch as Philip Brunelle gives you a sneak peek into “We Are the Saints”, a new commission by Gabriel Kahane that will be featured on the VocalEssence 2021-2022 season opener,… Read More →
VocalEssence Singers Of This Age Come Together for “Choosing Love” Summer Camp
Current members of VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (including a few graduating seniors) spent a week together building community, learning, and creating. The Choosing Love Creators Camp kick-started the year… Read More →
Where in the World are the Conductors-August 2021
Philip Brunelle: August has been a busy month of planning for Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle. He has been working on finalizing repertoire for the season, ordering orchestral music,… Read More →
Thank you VocalEssence Interns!
VocalEssence was fortunate to have two fantastic interns this summer: Aaron Schondorf and Blake Wieseler. Each and every voice that contributes to, or participates in our mission is an essential… Read More →
Where in the World are the Conductors-July 2021
Philip Brunelle: Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle is in the midst of a “planning month” as he prepares for the upcoming 53rd season—lots of meetings with composers, artists, and… Read More →
Philip Brunelle Honored to Ring Minnesota Liberty Bell
In 1950 the Department of the Treasury gifted each of the 50 states their own Liberty Bell—full sized replicas of the bell in Philadelphia. Each bell, created by the Christoph Paccard… Read More →
Where in the World are the Conductors-June 2021
Philip Brunelle: Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle is working on creating a digital library of all the composers featured on Musical Moments with the help of intern Blake Wieseler… Read More →
Where in the World are the Conductors-May 2021
Philip Brunelle Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle will be working with Phillip Shoultz to determine the roster of singers during late May and early June. With these very flexible… Read More →