Together We Sing

A Word from Our Conductors – April 2020

Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor | Learning and Engagement Director G. Phillip Shoultz, III are finding inspiration from so many places during this time. Read a few words from them below. Philip Brunelle I have found these words from Dr. Randall Bradley, Professor Church Music at Baylor University very uplifting: “I long for…  Read More

DONOR SPOTLIGHT: Fred and Ann Moore find quality, community and staying power in VocalEssence

When Fred and Ann Moore lived in Wisconsin, they were familiar with VocalEssence, having attended several holiday concerts over the years. “But our association began in earnest when we moved to Minnesota seven years ago and started going to almost every concert,” said Fred, who recently joined the VocalEssence board of directors. With such faithful…  Read More

VocalEssence 50th Season Annual Meeting

What a year! After a successful 50th season, we took a moment to pause and reflect on our accomplishments with those near and dear to us. On May 9, 2019, 80 people representing a broad slice of the VocalEssence community—members of our board, staff, choirs, donors, patrons, volunteers, and advisory councils—came together to share in the…  Read More

Sing, Connect, and Give Back at the Together We Sing Festival

In preparation for the 3rd Annual Together We Sing Festival, VocalEssence Associate Conductor Phillip Shoultz has devoted time this summer to developing a relationship with Ujamaa Place. After meeting with Executive Director, Otis Zanders, and touring the facilities, Phillip recently led his first talk in a series of presentations that will explore, “Sharing Your Truth:…  Read More

Where in the World are the Conductors—February 2018

Our conductors had a great time with VocalEssence WITNESS: Of Such I Dream and the debut of the new youth choir, VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (SOTA). But there’s always another adventure around the corner for Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Philip Brunelle will be escaping to warmer quarters…  Read More

Enjoy the Warmth of Winter Community Sing-Alongs

Is there anything more cheering on a snowy winter weekend than joining in song with your fellow lovers of choral music? Two upcoming community sing-along events provide the perfect opportunity to create a beautiful experience—whatever your skill level. (Hint: nobody will know if you just move your lips during the hard parts!) The Minnesota Chorale…  Read More

20% off tickets for The SPCO’s Liquid Music Series

BEDROOM COMMUNITY AND FRIENDS Featuring Valgeir Sigurðsson, Jodie Landau, Sam Amidon and Daníel Bjarnason with Mariam Wallentin and Pekka Kuusisto Copresented with the American Swedish Institute Tuesday, May 9, 2017 Doors at 6pm | Music at 7:30pm (purchase tickets) American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis Bedroom Community, “a creative hub of sonic geniuses that continues to evolve and…  Read More

Bridge of Song Reverb

As a professional choir conductor for 20 years, I’ve learned to read the subtle cues in the room before the singing starts, but I’d never before experienced a feeling quite like the one at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis on that July night. It was only a week since the tragedies in Falcon Heights and…  Read More

VocalEssence ReMix Seeks Songwriters

How do you make sure that choral music stays relevant? Mix it up—VocalEssence style. 2015 was the launch of VocalEssence ReMix, a program breathing new life into choral music by encouraging break-out musical artists—whether you sing in a rock band or play classical music—to write for choirs. And we just received funding to create a…  Read More

Meet Our Music Makers: Ensemble Singer Eric Meyer

The VocalEssence Chorus is an exceptional group of 90 talented, committed volunteer singers from many walks of life—doctors, lawyers, nurses, educators, homemakers, business people and others—most with college-level or higher training in classical music and voice. Our 32-voice professional choir, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, is known as one of Minnesota’s most highly trained and experienced group…  Read More

Meet Our Music Makers: Chorus Members Jenny Kisner & Jonathan Pinkerton love WITNESS

The VocalEssence Chorus is an exceptional group of 90 talented, committed volunteer singers from many walks of life—doctors, lawyers, nurses, educators, homemakers, business people and others—most with college-level or higher training in classical music and voice. Our 32-voice professional choir, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, is known as one of Minnesota’s most highly trained and experienced…  Read More

MEET OUR MUSIC MAKERS: Chorus Member Kristi Mueller Finds Something Special in Each Performance

The VocalEssence Chorus is an exceptional group of 90 talented, committed singers from many walks of life—doctors, lawyers, nurses, educators, homemakers, business people and others—most with college-level or higher training in classical music and voice. Our 32-voice professional choir, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, is known as one of Minnesota’s most highly trained and experienced group…  Read More