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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Over 170 participants and guests artists connected during the daylong Together We Sing Festival on Jan. 13. Attendees had great things to say—and we’d like to share some of our favorite responses: “I really enjoyed the guest artists and exercising my voice, mind, and body in new ways,” said one. And from another: “I had… Read More →
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 →
Creative Minnesota highlights the positive impact being made by artists and creative workers. The 2017 study found that every region of the state has a robust arts economy, from the prairies of southwest Minnesota to the busy Twin Cities area to the tourist magnet that is the North Shore. The combined annual economic impact of… Read More →
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 →
Thrivent Financial and VocalEssence invite you to help us throw a baby shower for the moms and babies participating in The Lullaby Project. Nothing conveys the intimate bond between mother and child quite like a lullaby. The word itself summons images of quiet moments and tender whispers of love. Every baby deserves a lullaby. VocalEssence… Read More →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
