The VocalEssence WITNESS School Program is an exciting opportunity for Minnesota students and teachers to learn more about the contributions African Americans have made, and are making, to the fine arts. 2020-2021 VocalEssence WITNESS: Will you be a Witness? Movements of Social Change Throughout history and across many cultures, music and movement, art and creative expression have all… Read More →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE CELEBRATES “28 DAYS OF BLACK EXCELLENCE” FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH Associate conductor G. Phillip Shoultz will feature Black achievements in the arts and beyond during his 9 a.m. daily “Take 5 with GPS” performance series MINNEAPOLIS—January 27, 2021—VocalEssence, one of the world’s premier choral music organizations, will… Read More →
The VocalEssence Board of Directors serve as ambassadors for the organization in the larger community. They also guide VocalEssence in all major policy decisions while ensuring the financial stability of VocalEssence. Board Officers Carolina Maranon-Cobos, President Program Manager, Institute for Advanced Study, University of Minnesota Daniel Fernelius, President-Elect Senior Development Officer, Let’s Encrypt Valton Henderson, Vice… Read More →
VOCALESSENCE CONNECTS VIBRANT MUSIC OF MEXICO TO AREA SCHOOLS ¡Cantaré! delivers original works by Twin Cities students, Mexican composers with lively Ordway community concert on May 20 MINNEAPOLIS— March 5, 2014—The musical spirit of Mexico will be celebrated by VocalEssence and area school children on Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. in a family-friendly, bilingual performance at the… Read More →
GPS highlights the life and legacy of Sojourner Truth for this Sunday edition of Take 5. In addition, we take a look at the traditional Negro spiritual, “Plenty Good Room.” Learn More https://sojournertruthmemorial.org/sojourner-truth/her-history/ https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sojourner-truth https://www.nps.gov/people/sojourner-truth.htm https://www.nps.gov/articles/sojourner-truth.htm?fbclid=IwAR3AMCWZhp8tbIx8mjKWkza0pHyzVthADFVhfwRogfSv5QjGR_U6mrCeq0M Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and produce. Consider sponsoring a day or… Read More →
For this Saturday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the artistic and administrative accomplishments of dancer, Judith Jamison, and also shares a terrific Duke Ellington standard, “I’m Beginning to See the Light.” Learn More https://www.alvinailey.org/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater/judith-jamison http://pressroom.alvinailey.org/album?c=25045&t=video&p=24&s=order https://www.ted.com/speakers/judith_jamison Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and produce. Consider sponsoring a day… Read More →
It’s Friday, and what better way to celebrate the end of another week than a little bit of singing? Join GPS as he sends us off into the weekend and shares a little about author Zora Neale Hurston. Our musical pairing is “In the Still of the Night,” by Fred Parris as performed by Fred… Read More →
On today’s edition of Take 5, GPS celebrates acclaimed printmaker and sculptor, Elizabeth Catlett, whose work reflects her interest in African art and social issues in the United States and Mexico. Our musical pairing is “I’ll Come Back To You,” as performed by Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers. Learn More https://www.elizabethcatlettart.com/bio https://nmwa.org/art/artists/elizabeth-catlett/ https://philamuseum.org/calendar/exhibition/artist-focus-elizabeth-catlett https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/elizabeth-catlett-41… Read More →
It’s Wednesday and GPS is getting ready for another Wednesday edition of Take 5. Today he’ll be sharing about Wilma Rudolph, the first woman to win 3 gold medals at the Olympic Games. Our musical pairing is “Git On Board, Little Children,” a traditional Negro Spiritual. Learn More https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/wilma-rudolph https://www.biography.com/athlete/wilma-rudolph https://usopm.org/wilma-rudolph/ Sponsor Black Excellence Each… Read More →
On this Tuesday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the contributions of Ann Lowe, first African American to be recognized as a fashion designer. Lowe’s one-of-a-kind designs were a favorite among high society matrons from the 1920s to the 1960s. Our musical pairing is “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.… Read More →
On this Sunday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the contributions of Dorothy Irene Height, whose organizational and operational skills were unmatched leading to her prominent role in the movement for Civil Rights and her opportunities to consult with US Presidents and First Ladies. We revisit the Black church for our musical inspiration as we… Read More →
Today, GPS highlights the trailblazing career of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, whose work as an activist and scholar paved the way for many woman that have followed her in public service. We revisit the inspirational and well-known Ben E. King song, “Stand By Me” for our musical inspiration. Learn More https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/16031 https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/barbara-jordan https://www.kff.org/about-barbara-jordan/ Sponsor Black Excellence… Read More →
We kick off our weekend with inspiration, song, and a time to recognize the contributions of Althea Gibson, a professional athlete who broke racial barriers in a variety of ways. The Supremes and “Got You Back in My Arms Again” will provide our musical inspiration. Learn More https://www.biography.com/athlete/althea-gibson https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/26/sports/tennis/althea-gibson-statue-us-open.html https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014035.html https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/althea-gibson-is-first-african-american-to-win-wimbledon Sponsor Black Excellence Each… Read More →
Join GPS for another Thursday edition of Take 5 as he shares about pilot Bessie Coleman, 1st African American woman and first Native American to hold a pilot’s license. Our musical pairing is “Baby I Need Your Lovin’,” by Brian and Edward Holland Jr., Lamont Dozier, as performed by the Four Tops. Learn More https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/bessie-coleman… Read More →
On this Wednesday episode of Take 5 with GPS, we feature Misty Copeland, 1st African American to be named principal ballerina for the American Ballet Theatre. Our musical pairing is South African Anti-Apartheid Song, “We Shall Not Give Up the Fight.” Learn More https://mistycopeland.com/ https://www.abt.org/people/misty-copeland/ https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/misty%20copeland Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take… Read More →
