VocalEssence

CONCERT: Radio Hour
2015-03-15 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Fitzgerald Theater, 10 East Exchange Street, St. Paul, MN, United States
Did you know that a radio could transport you to a different universe? With VocalEssence, anything is possible. Jake Heggie, one of the world’s most prominent composers of dramatic vocal music and composer of the opera Dead Man Walking, along with librettist Gene Scheer, have created a new theatrical production titled The Radio Hour that crosses Alice in Wonderland with the golden age of radio in a magical program about the power of singing to shape and give meaning to our lives. The precursor to the production will include a swinging salute to radio legend Fred Waring, “The Man Who Taught America How to Sing,” and other radio choral favorites, all on the home stage of A Prairie Home Companion.
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble SingersChristina Baldwin, actorNikki Swoboda, directorPhilip Brunelle, conductor

PRE-CONCERT CONVERSATION: John Birge and Gene Scheer
2015-03-15 15:00 - 15:30 | Fitzgerald Theater, 10 East Exchange Street, St. Paul, MN, United States
Before the Radio Hour performance, participate in a conversation with Classical Minnesota Public Radio Host John Birge and The Radio Hour librettist Gene Scheer at 3 pm.

Post-Concert Happy Hour: Resonate with Gene Scheer
2015-03-14 22:00 - 2015-03-15 00:00 | Great Waters Brewing Co., 426 St. Peter St., St. Paul, MN, 55102, United States
Join VocalEssence Resonate, our young professionals group, for a happy hour with The Radio Hour librettist Gene Scheer after the Radio Hour concert on Saturday, March 14, 2015. Enjoy the company of other choral music lovers—and free appetizers while they last—at Great Waters Brewing Co., just blocks from the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.

CONCERT: Radio Hour
2015-03-14 20:00 - 22:00 | Fitzgerald Theater, 10 East Exchange Street, St. Paul, MN, United States
Did you know that a radio could transport you to a different universe? With VocalEssence, anything is possible. Jake Heggie, one of the world’s most prominent composers of dramatic vocal music and composer of the opera Dead Man Walking, along with librettist Gene Scheer, have created a new theatrical production titled The Radio Hour which crosses Alice in Wonderland with the golden age of radio in a magical program about the power of singing to shape and give meaning to our lives. The precursor to the production will include a swinging salute to radio legend Fred Waring, “The Man Who Taught America How to Sing,” and other radio choral favorites, all on the home stage of A Prairie Home Companion.
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble SingersChristina Baldwin, actorNikki Swoboda, directorPhilip Brunelle, conductor

PRE-CONCERT CONVERSATION: John Birge and Gene Scheer
2015-03-14 19:00 - 19:30 | Fitzgerald Theater, 10 East Exchange Street, St. Paul, MN, United States
Before the Radio Hour performance, participate in a conversation with Classical Minnesota Public Radio Host John Birge and The Radio Hour librettist Gene Scheer at 7 pm.

¡Cantaré! Composer Residency, Weeks Two and Three
2015-03-09 - 2015-03-20 | Twin Cities metro-area schools and community organizations, MN, United States
Mexican composers Julio Morales and Jean Angelus Pichardo return to the Twin Cities for their second residency with elementary, high school, and community choral singers, exploring Mexican cultural and choral music traditions. Click here for more information about ¡Cantaré!.

WITNESS Young People's Concerts
2015-02-09 | Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 55403, United States
Celebrating 25 years of WITNESS, this year’s Young People’s Concerts salute the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his lifelong promotion of racial equality through nonviolent resistance. The VocalEssence Chorus, along with the Grammy Award-Winning ensemble, Sounds of Blackness, will commemorate Dr. King by tracing the roots of African American music through spirituals, gospel music and R&B with uplifting messages of unity and peace for all humankind.
2015 Performance Dates:
Monday, February 9 at 10:00am
Monday, February 9 at 11:35am
Monday, February 9 at 1:15pm
The WITNESS Young People’s Concert is a 50-minute concert geared toward students in grades 4-12, and is currently sold out. All performances take place at Minnesota Orchestra Hall in Downtown, Minneapolis.
Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

CONCERT: WITNESS: Let Freedom Ring
2015-02-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 55403, United States
Pre-concert conversation with Sounds of Blackness Director Gary Hines and Don Shelby at 3 pm.
Celebrating 25 years of WITNESS, VocalEssence salutes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the Grammy Award-winning ensemble Sounds of Blackness. Under the direction of Gary Hines, Sounds of Blackness performs and proclaims the music, culture and history of African Americans to audiences all over the world with uplifting messages of hope, unity, love and peace for all humankind. The VocalEssence Chorus and Sounds of Blackness will commemorate our American hero by tracing the roots of African American music and rhythm through spirituals, gospel music and R&B.
Sounds of Blackness VocalEssence Chorus South High School Varsity ChoirPhilip Brunelle, conductor Laurie Meyers, conductor
Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

PRE-CONCERT CONVERSATION: John Birge, Gary Hines and Don Shelby
2015-02-08 15:00 - 15:30 | Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 55403, United States
Before the VocalEssence WITNESS: Let Freedom Ring concert, participate in a conversation with Classical Minnesota Public Radio Host John Birge, Sounds of Blackness Director Gary Hines and Don Shelby at 3 pm.

PRE-CONCERT CONVERSATION: John Birge, Gary Hines and Don Shelby
2015-02-08 15:00 - 15:30 | Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 55403, United States
Before the WITNESS: Let Freedom Ring concert, participate in a conversation with Classical Minnesota Public Radio Host John Birge, Sounds of Blackness Director Gary Hines and Don Shelby at 3 pm.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Class: WITNESS Let Freedom Ring
2015-02-02 14:15 - 15:45 | Plymouth Congregational Church, 1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
VocalEssence celebrates 25 years of WITNESS this year. Philip Brunelle has invited the Grammy Award-winning ensemble, Sounds of Blackness, to appear with the VocalEssence chorus at Orchestra Hall on February 8th. For a preview of this exciting program, join Philip on February 2nd, from 2:15–3:45pm at Plymouth Church, as he explores this year’s theme—music inspired by the writings of Martin Luther King, Jr., including “Hold On—Change is Coming,” “His Light Still Shines,” and “Eyes on the Prize.”

To register for the course, membership in OLLI is required. Contact http://www.cce.umn.edu/olli/ for more information. Concert tickets must be purchased separately online or by calling 612-371-5656. Course participants receive $5 off.

Rochester ¡Cantaré! Composer Residency, Week One
2015-01-12 - 2015-01-16 | Rochester-area schools and community organizations, Rochester, MN, United States
Mexican composers Novelli Jurado and Rodrigo Cadet arrive to Rochester, Minnesota for their first residency with elementary, high school, and community choral singers, exploring Mexican cultural and choral music traditions. Click here for more information about ¡Cantaré!.

CONCERT: Welcome Christmas
2014-12-14 16:00 - 18:00 | Plymouth Congregational Church, 1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
God Jul! Leave your lutefisk, julbord, glögg, and Dala horses at home and come celebrate a VocalEssence Scandinavian and Nordic Christmas with carols from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Sing along to a new Christmas cantata, A Light in the Stable by Alan Bullard, with Katherine Ferrand as narrator, and hear two premieres of contest-winning Welcome Christmas carols accompanied by folk fiddler Sara Pajunen. Join VocalEssence for a performance that will warm your heart and get you in the Christmas spirit!
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble SingersKatherine Ferrand, narratorSara Pajunen, fiddlerPhilip Brunelle, conductor
Four additional performances:
Friday, December 5 in Apple Valley
Saturday, December 6 in Stillwater
Sunday, December 7 in Minneapolis
Saturday, December 13 in Edina

CONCERT: Welcome Christmas
2014-12-13 19:30 - 21:30 | Colonial Church of Edina, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina, MN, 55436, United States
God Jul! Leave your lutefisk, julbord, glögg, and Dala horses at home and come celebrate a VocalEssence Scandinavian and Nordic Christmas with carols from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Sing along to a new Christmas cantata, A Light in the Stable by Alan Bullard, with Katherine Ferrand as narrator, and hear two premieres of contest-winning Welcome Christmas carols accompanied by folk fiddler Sara Pajunen. Join VocalEssence for a performance that will warm your heart and get you in the Christmas spirit!
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble SingersKatherine Ferrand, narratorSara Pajunen, fiddlerPhilip Brunelle, conductor
Four additional performances:
Friday, December 5 in Apple Valley
Saturday, December 6 in Stillwater
Sunday, December 7 in Minneapolis
Sunday, December 14 in Minneapolis

FAMILY CONCERT: Star of Wonder
2014-12-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Plymouth Congregational Church, 1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
Come listen, clap, dance and sing at Star of Wonder, our annual one-hour family Christmas concert. Kids are invited to sit up close as members of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers perform familiar holiday music, including a rousing (if a little goofy) “Twelve Days of Christmas” sing-along. Bring the whole family. Baby bottles and teddy bears welcome! Order tickets now as an add-on to your season subscription.
VocalEssence Ensemble SingersDancers from Folwell School, Performing Arts Magnet Sara Pajunen, fiddlerPhilip Brunelle, conductor

CONCERT: Welcome Christmas
2014-12-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Plymouth Congregational Church, 1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
God Jul! Leave your lutefisk, julbord, glögg, and Dala horses at home and come celebrate a VocalEssence Scandinavian and Nordic Christmas with carols from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Sing along to a new Christmas cantata, A Light in the Stable by Alan Bullard, with Katherine Ferrand as narrator, and hear two premieres of contest-winning Welcome Christmas carols accompanied by folk fiddler Sara Pajunen. Join VocalEssence for a performance that will warm your heart and get you in the Christmas spirit!
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble SingersKatherine Ferrand, narratorSara Pajunen, fiddlerPhilip Brunelle, conductor
Four additional performances:
Friday, December 5 in Apple Valley
Saturday, December 6 in Stillwater
Saturday, December 13 in Edina
Sunday, December 14 in Minneapolis

CONCERT: Welcome Christmas
2014-12-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 N 4th Street , Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
God Jul! Leave your lutefisk, julbord, glögg, and Dala horses at home and come celebrate a VocalEssence Scandinavian and Nordic Christmas with carols from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Sing along to a new Christmas cantata, A Light in the Stable by Alan Bullard, with Katherine Ferrand as narrator, and hear two premieres of contest-winning Welcome Christmas carols accompanied by folk fiddler Sara Pajunen. Join VocalEssence for a performance that will warm your heart and get you in the Christmas spirit!
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble SingersKatherine Ferrand, narratorSara Pajunen, fiddlerPhilip Brunelle, conductor
Four additional performances:
Friday, December 5 in Apple Valley
Sunday, December 7 in Minneapolis
Saturday, December 13 in Edina
Sunday, December 14 in Minneapolis

Caroling with Resonate at the Grand Meander
2014-12-06 10:00 - 11:00
Join Resonate and friends for a heart-warming vocal experience, caroling for families and residents of the Twin Cities on Grand Ave in St. Paul! Bring your cheer, ready to spread to all ages, great and small!

Come to sing along or listen.

CONCERT: Welcome Christmas
2014-12-05 19:30 - 21:30 | Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN, 55124, United States
God Jul! Leave your lutefisk, julbord, glögg, and Dala horses at home and come celebrate a VocalEssence Scandinavian and Nordic Christmas with carols from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Sing along to a new Christmas cantata, A Light in the Stable by Alan Bullard, with Katherine Ferrand as narrator, and hear two premieres of contest-winning Welcome Christmas carols accompanied by folk fiddler Sara Pajunen. Join VocalEssence for a performance that will warm your heart and get you in the Christmas spirit!
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble SingersKatherine Ferrand, narratorSara Pajunen, fiddlerPhilip Brunelle, conductor
Four additional performances:
Saturday, December 6 in Stillwater
Sunday, December 7 in Minneapolis
Saturday, December 13 in Edina
Sunday, December 14 in Minneapolis

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Class: Welcome Christmas
2014-12-03 14:15 - 15:45 | Plymouth Congregational Church, 1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
’Tis the season for lutefisk, glögg, rødgrød med fløde and Welcome Christmas 2014 — the beloved annual concert series presented by Minneapolis-based choral ensemble VocalEssence. Join Artistic Director Philip Brunelle as he highlights the carols and musical holiday traditions from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark that will come through the music in this year’s Welcome Christmas concerts. A special guest will be folk fiddler Sara Pajunen, a classically trained performer well-versed in a variety of genres whose recent work explores the strong pull toward her Finnish ancestry.
To register for the course, membership in OLLI is required. Contact http://www.cce.umn.edu/olli/ for more information. Concert tickets must be purchased separately online or by calling 612-371-5656. Course participants receive $5 off.

CONCERT: VocalEssence Presents: Young People’s Chorus of New York City®
2014-11-22 20:00 - 22:00 | Roseville Lutheran Church, 1215 Roselawn Ave. W., Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
The Young People’s Chorus of New York City® (YPC), founded and conducted by MacArthur “genius” Fellow Francisco J. Núñez, is a multicultural youth chorus internationally renowned for its superb sound and electrifying performances. Frequent performers at Carnegie Hall, YPC regularly accepts invitations to represent the U.S. at international choral festivals, and is frequently seen on national TV with such guest artists as Joshua Bell, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, and NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis. Audiences rave about YPC’s ability to equally execute everything from classical to gospel, pop and world music with energy that leaps from the stage. For a little concert preview, listen to YPC performing “Rikitikitavi” and check out videos of “Vere Languores Nostros” and “Take This Hammer.” This is a performance not to be missed!

Young People’s Chorus of New York City®
Francisco J. Núñez, conductor
“Nobody reviews YPC and says ‘they’re really good for kids.’ They say they’re really good – period.” – John Schaefer, Radio Host, WNYC
Concert Conversation at 7 pm with conductor Francisco Núñez
Sponsored by Travelers

PRE-CONCERT CONVERSATION: John Birge and Francisco Núñez
2014-11-22 19:00 - 19:30 | Roseville Lutheran Church, 1215 Roselawn Ave. W., Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Before the Young People’s Chorus of New York City® concert, participate in a conversation with Minnesota Public Radio Host John Birge and Young People’s Chorus of New York City® conductor Francisco Núñez.

St. Paul High School Choral Festival with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City®
2014-11-20 | Johnson Senior High School, 1349 Arcade St, , St Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Sponsored by Travelers, over 200 students from three St. Paul high schools will come together with Francisco J. Núñez and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City® (YPC) to share music with each other, to sing new songs, and to learn new ways to interpret and give expression to music. Participants include:
Large mixed choir and beginning men’s choir, Central High School
Advanced mixed choir, Como Park Senior High School
Intermediate mixed choir and beginning women’s choir, Johnson Senior High School

TOUR CONCERT: River Songs and Tales with Mark Twain
2014-11-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Dawson-Boyd Memorial Auditorium, 601 9th Street, Dawson, MN, United States
Supported by Land O’Lakes and an Arts Tour grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Don Shelby as Mark Twain will go on the road to Greater Minnesota to celebrate life on the Mississippi River. Through choral music and the spoken word, VocalEssence will take listeners on a musical journey of the past and present – choral masterpieces, favorite folksongs, traditional spirituals, and Americana – all paired with the words of Mark Twain.
VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
Don Shelby, actor
Jon Cranney, director
Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, conductor

TOUR CONCERT: River Songs and Tales with Mark Twain
2014-11-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Sheldon Theatre, 443 W 3rd Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States

TOUR CONCERT: River Songs and Tales with Mark Twain
2014-11-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Austin High School: Knowlton Auditorium, 301 3rd Street NW, Austin, MN, United States

TOUR CONCERT: River Songs and Tales with Mark Twain
2014-11-13 19:30 - 21:00 | Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, Newhall Auditorium, 1000 Shumway Ave, Faribault, MN, United States
Supported by Land O’Lakes and an Arts Tour grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Don Shelby as Mark Twain will go on the road to Greater Minnesota to celebrate life on the Mississippi River. Through choral music and the spoken word, VocalEssence will take listeners on a musical journey of the past and present – choral masterpieces, favorite folksongs, traditional spirituals, and Americana – all paired with the words of Mark Twain.
VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
Don Shelby, actor
Jon Cranney, director
Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, conductor
Tickets through Shattuck-St. Mary’s Box Office: 507-333-1620
