Four Performances: Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 7:30-9:30 PM Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 4-6 PM Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis Friday, December 13, 2019 at 7:30-9:30 PM Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 4-6 PM Roseville Lutheran Church, Roseville VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers… Read More →
Artistic Director Philip Brunelle just returned from England meeting with John Rutter, Sir Stephen Cleobury (just knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours), Simon Halsey and Katie Rowan—the person helping us with the U.S. premiere in October of Ina Boyle’s music. He and his wife Carolyn also enjoyed a week’s vacation in Wales and on the… Read More →
For Artistic Director Philip Brunelle, the end of the concert season with our Bob Dylan tribute was a festive conclusion to season 50! Now we are in the midst of finalizing plans for season 51 and beyond. The month of May is also filled with auditions – about 50 hours’ worth. Each year those in… Read More →
By Pamela Espeland | MinnPost April 24, 2019: https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2019/04/yellow-tree-lyric-arts-artistry-2019-20-lineups/ Photo by Guy Magno A scene from a previous production of “Another Miracle on Christmas Lake.” Take a break from downtown parking woes … in both cities. Good theater happens in places that have ample free parking just outside the door. Three robust theater companies have recently… Read More →
Following the amazing success of Candide, Artistic Director Philip Brunelle was in Mexico City for meetings about the Ensemble Singers next visit there in August 2019. He and his wife Carolyn also spent four days vacationing in Oaxaca (a rarity!). On Sunday, April 7 he will accompany the five Plymouth Church soloists in a concert as… Read More →
Click Here to Download the 2019 Welcome Christmas Guidelines and Application 2019 Contest Guidelines World premiere: No prior performance of submitted work. Original carol: No arrangements or new settings of existing tunes. Eligibility: Composers of all ages whose permanent residence is North America. Form: Carol (defined as a strophic song, which may or may not… Read More →
By Pamela Espeland MinnPost FEBRUARY 28, 2019 — 08:24AM https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2019/02/vocalessence-to-present-witness-times-two-joffrey-ballet-to-perform-anna-karenina/ VocalEssence was born in 1969 as the Plymouth Church Music Series. Just another concert series at a local church, founded by an ambitious, tireless and hypercreative choir director and organist named Philip Brunelle. In 2002, the Plymouth Music Series became VocalEssence. Today, Brunelle and his singers are… Read More →
Dominick Argento was an amazing man—he was my teacher, colleague and personal friend of our family. When I arrived at the University of Minnesota, I signed up for History of Opera, not knowing that I would have the best professor on opera as my teacher! I have often said that if you wish to take… Read More →
By Ross Raihala | rraihala@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press February 25, 2019 at 7:00 am https://www.twincities.com/2019/02/25/vocalessences-51st-season-includes-family-concerts-festivals-and-a-moana-singalong/ A “Moana” movie singalong, the addition of a second Witness concert and a celebration of the music of Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn are on tap for VocalEssence’s newly announced 51st season. Season tickets are on sale now. Single tickets go on sale Aug. 5.… Read More →
Four Performances Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 7:30-9:30 PM – Completed Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 4-6 PM – Completed Plymouth Congregational Church 1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN Friday, December 13, 2019 from 7:30-9:30 PM Plymouth Congregational Church 1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis,… Read More →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann Jennifer@owl-marketing.com 612-716-0556 PERFORMANCES ANNOUNCED FOR VOCALESSENCE 2019-2020 SEASON Choral and community-building organization celebrates 30 years of VocalEssence WITNESS, honoring the contributions of African Americans to the arts MINNEAPOLIS — February 25, 2020—Heading into its second half-century stronger than ever, VocalEssence is ready to reveal the program for its… Read More →
As we work toward inclusion, access, and equity at VocalEssence, we are finding ways to include new voices for board leadership. The Board Affairs Committee, which nominates people to join the board of directors, was looking for guidance on the best way to identify future leaders for the organization. Led by Board Affairs Chair Dorene… Read More →
For Artistic Director Philip Brunelle, January began with meetings in Washington DC with Senator Tina Smith and Congressman Dean Phillips—both of them very supportive of VocalEssence! He also met with the Norwegian Cultural Consul, with Alberto Fierro (Executive Director of the Mexican Cultural Institute), with Ann Meier Baker of the NEA Music Division and our dear… Read More →
DEAR SANTA, HAVE YOU HAD THE MEASLES? Frank Kells, Al Arland, & Al Vann For a number of years the Ensemble Singers appeared with Philip Brunelle on Minnesota Public Radio each December with a program of humorous Christmas music that no one hears—this being one of the ‘gems.’ (SWEET ANGIE) THE CHRISTMAS TREE ANGEL M.K.… Read More →
By Pamela Espeland | December 7, 2018: https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2018/12/arts-accessibility-nonprofit-to-close-in-2019-vocalessences-welcome-christmas-2018/ The picks Friday through Sunday: VocalEssence: Welcome Christmas 2018. For many Minnesotans, VocalEssence’s annual holiday concert is a beloved tradition. But there’s never been a Welcome Christmas concert like this. Along with a world premiere by composer Nico Muhly – Philip Glass’ former assistant, now one of the most sought-after composers… Read More →
