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Program History

VocalEssence WITNESS is critical for many of the students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a professional event at a major concert hall. We believe that an educational and performance experience such as VocalEssence WITNESS gives students an opportunity to learn from exceptional role models, increasing their self-esteem and creating a desire…  Read More

Weekend Picks: Celebrate Black History Month in song and essays; a night in Havana; and more

By Sheila Regan MinnPost | February 23, 2023 https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2023/02/weekend-picks-celebrate-black-history-month-in-song-and-essays-a-night-in-havana-and-more/ A world of Twin Cities art and culture awaits this weekend after the snowstorm. VocalEssence celebrates Black History Month with Joe Davis and The New Renaissance, in the choral performance, “WITNESS: Reawakening Love.”   Snowstorm? What snowstorm? After this madness has passed, the world of Twin…  Read More

Joe Davis with an orange background, Photo Credit: Ryan Stopera

WITNESS: Reawakening Love Digital Concert Program

FEATURING: Joe Davis and The Poetic Diaspora VocalEssence Chorus VocalEssence Ensemble Singers VocalEssence Singers Of This Age VocalEssence Vintage Voices Kristianna Marks, soprano soloist Mary Jo Gothmann, piano Philip Brunelle, conductor G . Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor

VOCALESSENCE, ARTIST JOE DAVIS AND THE NEW RENAISSANCE TO BEAR WITNESS IN SHOW HONORING BLACK HISTORY MONTH 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com   VOCALESSENCE, ARTIST JOE DAVIS AND THE NEW RENAISSANCE  TO BEAR WITNESS IN SHOW HONORING BLACK HISTORY MONTH  WITNESS: Reawakening Love Will Fuse Musical Styles into a Joyous Celebration  at Orchestra Hall on Feb. 26  MINNEAPOLIS—December 8, 2022—Stories of struggle, resilience and celebration come to musical life through an…  Read More

VocalEssence WITNESS School Program

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

Mae Jemison | Women’s History Month with GPS

It’s a Wednesday kids day on Take 5; join GPS as he sings a little Angel Medley and shares a little about the 1st African American woman to participate in the NASA space program, Mae Jemison. Learn More “Mae Among the Stars” by Roda Ahmed, Stasia Burrington (Illustrator) http://teacher.scholastic.com/space/mae_jemison/index.htm https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mae-jemison https://www.biography.com/astronaut/mae-c-jemison https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/jemison_mae.pdf Sponsor Black Excellence Each…  Read More

VOCALESSENCE CELEBRATES “28 DAYS OF BLACK EXCELLENCE” FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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

For 30 years, VocalEssence’s ‘Witness’ program has celebrated black music

By Terry Blain | Special to the Star Tribune Published: FEBRUARY 18, 2020 — 10:57AM http://www.startribune.com/for-30-years-vocalessence-s-witness-program-has-celebrated-black-music/567972202/ G. Phillip Shoultz III brings the Witness program to 40 schools each year. “Thirty years ago, Black History Month was just a mention on Minnesota Public Radio, and maybe a concert here or there. There wasn’t anything sustained here…  Read More

VocalEssence WITNESS School Program

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

VocalEssence Announcements Concert & Family Programs for Historic 50th Season

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann Jennifer@owl-marketing.com 612-716-0556 VOCALESSENCE ANNOUNCES CONCERT & FAMILY PROGRAMS FOR HISTORIC 50th SEASON Celebrating 50 years of honoring music’s greatest artists, introducing their work to new audiences, and nurturing the diverse voices that will shape its next half-century. Download season photos here. MINNEAPOLIS — May 15, 2018—Marking a milestone for the nationally renowned…  Read More

VocalEssence Programs Enhancing Music Education in Minnesota

For the next three months, VocalEssence will feature its education programs to promote Music Makes Us Whole, an initiative that brings together non-profit and for-profit organizations in Minnesota to raise awareness about the ways a rich music education enhances a child’s development. This month, we’re highlighting VocalEssence WITNESS School Program and Lullaby Project. VocalEssence WITNESS…  Read More

Voz en Punto Program Peek: ‘Bésame Mucho’ & ‘Tilingolingo’

https://vimeo.com/70340076 Voz en Punto is “one of the world’s great vocal sextets,” says VocalEssence Artistic Director Philip Brunelle. “This amazing group of singers has a 25-year history of celebrating the musical culture of Mexico, past and present, as well as performing music from around the world. Their blend, their flexibility, and their love for music…  Read More

VocalEssence WITNESS School Program instructs and inspires

This year, 49 partner schools are participating in the VocalEssence WITNESS School Program, which began with the annual Teacher Orientation Seminar in September and continues through workshops and residencies with our Teaching Artists. The theme, “Let Freedom Ring,” focused on the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his lifelong promotion of racial equality through…  Read More

History/Timeline

1969 Philip Brunelle founds the Plymouth Church Music Series. 1970 Aaron Copland conducts a performance of his choral works aptly titled “In the Beginning.” 1973 Dominick Argento composes Jonah and the Whale, the first VocalEssence commission. 1973 Dave Brubeck Jazz legend performs the Midwest premiere of his To Hope: A Celebration. 1974 Garrison Keillor features…  Read More