By Sheila Regan MinnPost | February 23, 2023 https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2023/02/weekend-picks-celebrate-black-history-month-in-song-and-essays-a-night-in-havana-and-more/ A world of Twin Cities art and culture awaits this weekend after the snowstorm. VocalEssence celebrates Black History Month with Joe Davis and The New Renaissance, in the choral performance, “WITNESS: Reawakening Love.”   Snowstorm? What snowstorm? After this madness has passed, the world of Twin…  Read More →

By Ross Raihala | rraihala@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press February 25, 2019 at 7:00 am https://www.twincities.com/2019/02/25/vocalessences-51st-season-includes-family-concerts-festivals-and-a-moana-singalong/ A “Moana” movie singalong, the addition of a second Witness concert and a celebration of the music of Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn are on tap for VocalEssence’s newly announced 51st season. Season tickets are on sale now. Single tickets go on sale Aug. 5.…  Read More →

By Star Tribune Staff Star Tribune | February 23, 2023 startribune.com/muse-chapel-hart-vocalessence-dona-peron-bob-weir-resurgence-kahlil-robert-irving-evanescence/600253755/?refresh=true Critics’ picks for entertainment in the week ahead. Muse & Evanescence Minneapolis is the second stop on a tour that kicks off Saturday in Chicago, so it’s impossible to say what the arty, Rush-channeling British rockers in Muse will have up their sleeves. Their…  Read More →

By Alissa Musto | Medium Published: September 22, 2020 https://medium.com/music-with-a-purpose/choral-community-and-creativity-in-times-of-crisis-interview-with-philip-shoultz-of-vocalessence-28566863a57b   #MusicWithAPurpose is a series dedicated to continuing the conversation surrounding music education and expression, both pre and post COVID. Today’s interview features Philip Shoultz, Associate Conductor and Director of Learning and Engagement for VocalEssence — a 52 year old performing arts organization based in…  Read More →

Multiple authors | Star Tribune February 14, 2020 – 11:10 PM: http://www.startribune.com/best-of-the-week-feb-16-23-tove-lo-joe-henry-gotta-dance-raphael-saadiq-vocalessence-winter-fest-more/567872132/ Behold Lo Like a raunchier and rowdier version of her fellow Swedish export Robyn, electro-pop singer Tove Lo has made a bigger splash in dance clubs and viral listening quarters than on pop radio, earning her a sizable underground following. She sticks to…  Read More →

By Pamela Espeland MinnPost FEBRUARY 28, 2019 — 08:24AM https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2019/02/vocalessence-to-present-witness-times-two-joffrey-ballet-to-perform-anna-karenina/   VocalEssence was born in 1969 as the Plymouth Church Music Series. Just another concert series at a local church, founded by an ambitious, tireless and hypercreative choir director and organist named Philip Brunelle. In 2002, the Plymouth Music Series became VocalEssence. Today, Brunelle and his singers are…  Read More →

By Pamela Espeland January 17, 2019: https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2019/01/mlk-celebrations-and-concerts-mr-poppers-penguins-at-childrens-theatre/ Monday is Martin Luther King Day, and the weekend will light up with celebrations of his life. Tuesday this week would have been his 89th birthday. Imagine if he had lived past 39. Although it’s not billed specifically as an MLK event, VocalEssence’s annual “Together We Sing” festival on Saturday (Jan.…  Read More →

14 schools, 56 students, one groundbreaking choir. by Les Poling Posted February 13, 2018 “Together we sing.” That phrase, according to VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III, is more than VocalEssence’s official tagline. It’s a hands-on philosophy the entire group takes to heart, especially the new VocalEssence Youth Choir. Creating community has been VocalEssence’s mission since the…  Read More →