Choral music called … and Philip Brunelle answered “Connect the Dots” from Minnesota Now | February 20, 2024 Cathy Wurzer, Chris Farrell and Ellen Finn Philip Brunelle has done it all. Currently, he’s the founder and artistic director of VocalEssence. VocalEssence is based at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. Brunelle has led the choir for 55 years. A…
Philip Brunelle made an appearance on Minnesota Live on Thursday, February 1, 2024. Click the button below to watch Philip share 5 facts about himself and his musical career. Watch Now
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE FOUNDER PHILIP BRUNELLE CELEBRATES TWO MILESTONES WITH CONCERT FEATURING MUSIC OF HIS MOST BELOVED COMPOSERS “Philip’s Favorites” concert features music from Dominick Argento, John Rutter, Libby Larsen, and more old friends–at the American Swedish Institute, Feb. 4th MINNEAPOLIS—October 2, 2023—Singing and birthday celebrations go together like… Read More →
As he approaches his 80th birthday, Philip Brunelle’s impact in the world of choral music is astonishing! If you were to ask Philip Brunelle what his favorite things to do are, he would say “Celebrating rarely heard music and sharing it with the world, of course!” So, that’s what we plan to do! In honor of…
Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence artistic director and founder, was featured on The Importance of the Arts to History with WCCO’s Jearlyn Steele on October 30,2022 to talk about Montserrat Boy Choir. Philip Brunelle’s interview begins at 32:55. Check out the interview below. https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/jearlyn-steele-152/the-importance-of-the-arts-to-history-1534405972
Philip Brunelle began Musical Moments as a way to connect and bring joy to people during the pandemic, but now the catalog of composers and their works will be shared broadly through the American Choral Directors Association’s Choral Journal. Click the link below to read the article OR explore the collection of Musical Moments. Read the Article Explore… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer György Orbán. György Orbán b. 1947 The Hungarian-Romanian composer György Orbán is best known for his vocal music employing avant-garde and neoclassic techniques. Born in 1947 in Marosvásárhely, he attended the Music Academy in Kolosvár… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Aaron Jay Kernis. Aaron Jay Kernis b. 1960 Pulitzer Prize and Grammy-Award-winning composer Aaron Jay Kernis is among the most esteemed musical figures of his generation. He began his musical studies on the violin; at… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Robert L. Morris Robert L. Morris b. 1941 Robert L. Morris, a well-published American composer and arranger, was Director of Choral Activities at Macalester. He holds degrees from DePaul University, Indiana University, and The University… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Abbie Betinis. Abbie Betinis b. 1980 The music of Abbie Betinis has been heard in some of the finest concert halls in the United States, and is enjoying growing acclaim abroad. Praised for its melodic… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Georg Schumann. Georg Schumann 1866-1952 Georg Schumann was a German composer and director of the Sing-Akademie in Berlin. He first studied the violin and organ with his father and grandfather and was taught by Friedrich… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Robert Buckley Farlee. Robert Buckley Farlee b. 1950 Minnesota composer Robert Buckley Farlee is Associate Pastor and Director of Music at Christ Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Bob Farlee and his wife Jane Buckley-Farlee were ordained… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Melanie DeMore. Melanie DeMore b. Prolific African-American composer Melanie DeMore was born in the Bronx, raised in Anchorage, and moved to San Antonio to complete her schooling. “Getting off,” as DeMore calls it, on… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Bobby McFerrin. Bobby McFerrin b. 1950 American composer and vocalist Bobby McFerrin is perhaps best-known for his piece, Don’t Worry, Be Happy. Born in Manhattan, Bobby came from a family of singers: Bobby’s father, the… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Jussi Chydenius. Jussi Chydenius b. 1972 Finnish composer and vocalist, Jussi Chydenius is a pioneering choral composer whose music combines pop and jazz harmonies to create vital original works. Born in Helsinki, he was very… Read More →
