October is Veterans’ Voices Month, as proclaimed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2014, and VocalEssence will open our 47th Season on October 11 with Dreams of the Fallen, a tribute to U.S. military Veterans. Jake Runestad, whose monumental work with Iraq war Veteran and poet Brian Turner provides the centerpiece and title for the concert, issues this video invitation to join us for the Midwest premiere of Dreams of the Fallen at The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University.

Fans of large chorus and orchestra will be moved as the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers perform together with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra on rousing and uplifting pieces including Howard Hanson’s “Song of Democracy.” Also featuring internationally renowned pianist Jeffrey Biegel and soprano Maria Jette, the concert will bring hope and healing to the soldier’s experience through beautiful and mystical music including Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Vaughan Williams’s Toward the Unknown Region, Joseph Canteloube’s wonderfully expressive “Songs of a Shepherd,” and “Controlled Burn” by Jocelyn Hagen and Dessa.

For a preview, listen to excerpts, watch a video, or read a review of the 2013 premiere of Dreams of the Fallen by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, and Jeffrey Biegel. You can also read a profile of Jake in the Star Tribune, hear VocalEssence Artistic Director Philip Brunelle chat about the concert on the WCCO Morning News with Dave Lee, and watch VocalEssence perform “Controlled Burn.”

Dreams of the Fallen
Sunday, October 11 at 4 pm
The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, St. Paul

Tickets are also available as part of a 2015-2016 Season Subscription.