Sponsoring the VocalEssence Gala 2024 has many Benefits: Visibility to an audience of more than 500 prominent business and community leaders Opportunity to support and partner with VocalEssence, an organization with decades of experience presenting concerts and education programs that engage, inspire, and entertain more than 30,000 people of all ages annually Brand equity in…
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Mark Kilstofte. Mark Kilstofte b. 1958 Mark Kilstofte is admired as a composer of lyrical line, engaging harmony, strong, dramatic gesture and keen sensitivity to sound, shape and event. His music has garnered a… Read More →
VocalEssence brings holiday cheer to the WCCO Rooftop, where the WCCO Community Tree was lit Wednesday evening.
https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/video/6105877-vocalessence-previews-hope-lives-here/ The popular local group VocalEssence is back with live music this weekend. Philip Brunelle was featured on WCCO.
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Ēriks Ešenvalds. Ēriks Ešenvalds b. 1977 Ēriks Ešenvalds is one of the most sought-after composers working today, with a busy commission schedule and performances of his music heard on every continent. Born in Priekule, Latvia,… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer McNeil Robinson. McNeil Robinson 1943-2015 McNeil Robinson was an acclaimed American organist, composer, and teacher. As a teenager he studied piano at the conservatory there and performed as a soloist with the Birmingham Symphony, now… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Malcolm Williamson. Malcolm Williamson 1931-2003 Malcolm Williamson was one of the most successful Australian composers of the latter half of the twentieth century. He studied piano privately with Sverjensky before enrolling at the New South… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Johann “Hermann” Schein. Johann “Hermann” Schein 1586-1630 Johann Schein was a German composer, and one of the earliest musicians to introduce the Italian Baroque style into German music. In 1599 Johann Hermann Schein was admitted… 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 →
