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November 2015
REMIX: VocalEssence ReMix Premieres
Register for the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota State Conference and you can attend the VocalEssence ReMix concert featuring four new choral works by Minnesota emerging composers Emily Feld, Michael Maiorana, Liam Moore and Daniel Smith, performed by the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers with Artistic Director Philip Brunelle. Special Thanks This program is made possible through the generous support of the Jerome Foundation.
Find out more »VINTAGE VOICES: The Waters of Edina Concert
Come and experience the sounds of The Waters of Edina’s new choir in Songs of Love and Life, an exciting program featuring selections of jazz, blues, spirituals, folk songs and more! The concert is free and open to the public, with a reception following. The Waters of Edina is part of a new VocalEssence community engagement program called Vintage Voices, an exciting new choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults by fostering the creation…
Find out more »VINTAGE VOICES: Walker Methodist Highview Hills concert
Come and experience the sounds of the Vintage Voices Choir, Walker Methodist Highview Hills' new chorus, in Songs of Love and Life, an exciting program featuring selections of jazz, blues, spirituals, folk songs and more! The concert is free and open to the public, with a reception following. Walker Methodist Highview Hills is part of a new VocalEssence community engagement program called Vintage Voices, an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults by…
Find out more »May 2016
FUNDRAISER: VocalEssence Choralia 2016
VocalEssence invites you to spring into song on May Day 2016 by attending Choralia—a singing celebration to benefit the VocalEssence Community Engagement Programs, which inspire people of all ages and cultures to explore their love of singing—together we sing! Spring Into Song Menu: Chef Dinesh Jayawardena of the FireLake Grill has put together a bouquet of delectable items including a delicious chicken and mushroom wellington or a mouth-watering vegetarian cannoli. Uplifting and immersive entertainment: VocalEssence, a guest choir, and special guest Melanie…
Find out more »EDUCATION: VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Listening and Sharing Session for Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project
As part of Carnegie Hall's Lullaby Project, VocalEssence will host a listening and sharing session of six newly written lullabies, jointly composed by select students from Longfellow Alternative High School and VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! composer Francisco Zúñiga, and performed by an octet of VocalEssence Ensemble Singers directed by Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Reception to follow. Because of the private nature of the material, this event is available by invitation only, and closed to the public.
Find out more »February 2017
BACKSTAGE PASS: VocalEssence WITNESS Dress Rehearsal
Head backstage at Orchestra Hall to meet guest artist Melanie DeMore, Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III, and participants of VocalEssence WITNESS, which offers in-school workshops for students and invites schools to attend the VocalEssence WITNESS Young People’s Concerts. Stay to hear a sneak peek of the VocalEssence WITNESS: Underground Railroad concert dress rehearsal.
Find out more »March 2017
VocalEssence WITNESS Community Conversations: Legacies of Strength
Join us for a unique event featuring descendants of people who share a special connection to Fort Snelling. Lynne Jackson will share stories of her great-great-grandparents, Dred and Harriet Scott, whose fight for freedom led our nation closer to civil war. Sharon Harper will speak about her ancestor, Robert Hickman, who escaped slavery during the Civil War and found a new life in Minnesota. Now 160 years since the controversial Dred Scott ruling, these guest presenters will share stories of…
Find out more »October 2017
EVENT: MPR’s 50th Anniversary Block Party
Join us on Saturday, October 7 for this free, family-friendly celebration of Minnesota Public Radio’s 50th anniversary with live music, food trucks, art activities and more. Singers from VocalEssence will perform from 6-6:30 PM on the Landmark Plaza Stage in downtown Saint Paul (in between performances by The Steeles and Dessa!) MPR 50th Anniversary Block Party Entertainment Schedule 3:30-4 p.m. Native Pride Dancerst, Hamm Plaza Stage 4-4:30 p.m. Minnesota Percussion Trio, Landmark Plaza Stage 4:30-5 p.m. Walker West Music Academy,…
Find out more »November 2017
BROADCAST: Dreams of the Fallen: Coming Home
"Dreams of the Fallen: Coming Home" is a musical tribute to the men and women we honor each Veterans Day. Hosted by Steve Seel, the special's centerpiece is the short masterwork of the same title by young American composer Jake Runestad. The work sets the poetry of Iraq war veteran Brian Turner, and features pianist Jeffrey Biegel, the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and VocalEssence. Runestad's and Turner's works combine in this deeply moving exploration of experiences familiar to many veterans: returning…
Find out more »EVENT: VocalEssence ReMix Performance
Looking for new music? Looking for composers to commission? Refresh your repertoire at VocalEssence ReMix. Hear choral premieres for developing and advanced ensembles by emerging Minnesota composers performed by the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers. VocalEssence ReMix encourages breakout musical artists-whether you sing in a rock band or play classical music-to write for voice. Four talented, emerging composers/songwriters are selected annually to have a six-month one-on-one composer mentorship with renowned composers Libby Larsen, Carol Barnett, J. David Moore, or Timothy Takach as they each write two choral…
Find out more »January 2018
EVENT: VocalEssence Performs at Super Bowl Live
VocalEssence is thrilled to announce that it has been tapped to kick off the Super Bowl Live festivities in Minneapolis. This January, in a kick-off event leading up to Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers will perform a 20 minute set on Nicollet Mall before Idina Menzel, Tony Award-Winner and the voice of Elsa in the Disney blockbuster Frozen, takes the stage. Please join us on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis to sing along to a medley of football…
Find out more »May 2019
EVENT: Soul Sing at Icehouse
Advance ticket sales are closed. $15 Standing room tickets will be available for purchase at the door beginning at 5PM. VocalEssence is partnering with The Avant Garde to bring out the soul in all of us. Led by VocalEssence Teaching Artist Niles (Chadwick Phillips), The Avant Garde specializes in fusing multiple forms of art into one event (music concerts, visual art showings, dance performances, poetic readings, theater, and more). This event will feature performances by hip-hop artist Niles, jazz performer…
Find out more »April 2020
Adult Singer Auditions for 2020-2021 Season
Due to the ongoing health emergency caused by the Coronavirus, we have transitioned to a virtual audition process for the 2020-21 season. These auditions are open now and will be accepted through May 16, 2020. Information on registration and the audition requirements can be found on our audition page: https://www.vocalessence.org/who-we-are/performing-ensembles/sing-with-us/audition/
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