As we journey through life, we encounter many ups and downs along the way, taking in stride the good, the bad, and everything in between. Autumn can be a time of thanksgiving, of homecoming, and of remembering the people, places, and things that we love most. This heartfelt program features a variety of songs, poems,… Read More →
Love takes many forms depending on the context and who it is shared between. Love has been present since the inception of this choir and partnership between VocalEssence and Sabathani, now celebrating 10 years together! Our shared mission of providing older adults in the community a chance to use music and singing as the vehicle… Read More →
Benny Andersson, of ABBA fame, composed a musical blending Sweden and Minnesota in a very moving way. This class will present the musical, its history and music performed by Kathryn Rupp and Clara Osowski, two of the leading soloists, with Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence Artistic Director and founder, as emcee and pianist. In order to sign… Read More →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE OPENS 56th SEASON WITH SONGS FROM KRISTINA, THE TRIBUTE TO SWEDISH IMMIGRANTS BY FAMED ABBA SONGWRITERS Concert version of the musical comes to Benson Great Hall at Bethel University—Oct 26 MINNEAPOLIS — August 15, 2024—VocalEssence will open its 56th season with THE CONCERT VERSION OF THE… Read More →
VocalEssence is blessed to have so many committed supporters. Thank you for all that you do to keep our community singing! Although we make every effort to ensure that our Honor Roll list is accurate and complete, we are capable of error. Please let us know if your name does not appear the way you…
About Our Audition Process Registration for the 2023-24 season is now open for the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus. Read below for information about each ensemble and the audition requirements. Ensemble Singers Auditions Eight paid positions per section; professional experience required. Ensemble Singers re-audition annually. Auditioning for the Ensemble Singers consists of two rounds: Round 1… Read More →
Executive Director phone 612-547-1454 amy@vocalessence.org Amy Jaine Wielunski joined VocalEssence as Executive Director in 2024, bringing with her 22 years of non-profit experience at organizations with local, state-wide, and national reach. Before joining VocalEssence, Amy was the Vice President of Membership at Chicago Public Media—home to Chicago’s NPR station WBEZ Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times.… Read More →
Let the engaging sounds of music by Scottish composer and conductor Sir James MacMillan captivate you. MacMillan’s music draws from his Scottish heritage, strong Catholic faith, and social conscience, and is influenced by Celtic folk music as well as Far Eastern, Scandinavian, and Eastern European music. Hear 7 Twin Cities church choirs join forces to…
Seasons of Song Join VocalEssence as we celebrate 56 seasons of singing together. From a performance of the musical journey of Swedish immigrants brought to life by the legendary ABBA songwriters Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, and collaborations with the Bach Society of Minnesota and Northrop, to a week-long festival featuring the music of world-renowned…
“Incredible music flawlessly presented and deeply moving. I would come to a performance of Philip’s Additional Favorites every year.” —Philip’s Favorites Audience Member Back by popular demand! VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director Philip Brunelle has more favorite pieces—along with the stories behind the music—from the past 56 years to share. Join the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers…
“Incredible music flawlessly presented and deeply moving. I would come to a performance of Philip’s Additional Favorites every year.” —Philip’s Favorites Audience Member Back by popular demand! VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director Philip Brunelle has more favorite pieces—along with the stories behind the music—from the past 56 years to share. Join the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers…
Sir James MacMillan is a world-renowned Scottish composer and conductor whose belief in the spiritual power of music is evident in all his works. Guided by his strong faith, his music creatively uses melody and dissonance to tell the story of the beauty—and challenging complexity—of life on earth. Join VocalEssence, the U of M University…
Be part of the journey to “keep your eyes on the prize and hold on” as you sing and experience the weaving together of stories that connect our past struggles to our present pursuit of an equitable future for all. VocalEssence joins forces with a collective of Twin Cities-based artists—actors, dancers, storytellers, and musicians—presenting songs…
Taking inspiration from a Chinese fable where a rip in the sky causes the earth to split open, this concert explores love and loss, life and death, and ultimately invites us to work towards transformation and reconciliation. Through the powerful combination of voice and percussion, the VocalEssence Chorus will perform movements from Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Brahms’s…
“Shout for joy!” Back by popular demand, the Bach Society of Minnesota and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers renew their collaboration to tell one of the greatest musical Christmas stories of all time. Hear three cantatas from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio as well as Cantata BWV 40, originally written for the second day of Christmas.…
