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Searched for: 2012

VocalEssence Performs ‘Dreams of the Fallen’ to Open 47th Season

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE PERFORMS “DREAMS OF THE FALLEN” TO OPEN 47th SEASON Acclaimed choral ensemble delivers work of veteran and poet in Midwest premiere Oct. 11 MINNEAPOLIS—JULY 28, 2015—What does it mean to live through 21st-century war? Minneapolis-based choral ensemble VocalEssence will stage the Midwest premiere of Dreams of the Fallen, an…  Read More

DONOR SPOTLIGHT: Judy Drobeck Is Paying It Forward

For just about as long she can remember, Judy Drobeck has been singing. It started as it does for many children, “singing rounds and part songs with my family as we rode in the car or did the dishes—as early as 2 or 3 years old,” according to Judy. “My older sisters had learned some…  Read More

VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Composer Proposes to Girlfriend

On Tuesday, April 21, 2015, VocalEssence had the honor of participating in a true love story—a marriage proposal delivered via the VocalEssence Chorus with a piece composed by Mexican composer Novelli Jurado, a composer-in-residence for our ¡Cantaré! in Rochester school program. Novelli met Michelle Eng, his now-fiancé, while working with the 2012-2013 season of VocalEssence…  Read More

VocalEssence Fusiona a México con Minnesota en ¡Cantaré!

CONTACTO: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com El conjunto coral con sede en Minneapolis estrena sus nuevas obras musicales compuestas por compositores mexicanos y estudiantes locales en el Concierto Comunitario ¡Cantaré! MINNEAPOLIS —1 de abril de 2015— VocalEssence invita a toda la familia a cruzar la frontera hacia una celebración musical mexicana en el Concierto Comunitario de…  Read More

New VocalEssence Vintage Voices brings the power of singing to seniors

Older adults are pursuing active lives, and VocalEssence is gladly adding to their options with the launch of VocalEssence Vintage Voices—an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults by fostering the creation of choirs in assisted living facilities and senior centers. With funding from the Minnesota State Arts…  Read More

VocalEssence Fuses Mexico with Minnesota in ¡Cantare!

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com   VOCALESSENCE FUSES MEXICO WITH MINNESOTA IN ¡CANTARÉ! Minneapolis-based choral ensemble premieres new works by Mexican composers and local students in ¡Cantaré! Community Concert   MINNEAPOLIS—February 16, 2015—VocalEssence invites families to cross the border to a Mexican musical celebration in the ¡Cantaré! (I Will Sing!) community concert on May 21.…  Read More

Sanford Moore receives VocalEssence Reatha Clark King Award

Congratulations to pianist, composer, arranger and producer Sanford Moore, who received the Reatha Clark King Award on Sunday, February 8 at the VocalEssence WITNESS: Let Freedom Ring concert at Orchestra Hall and was presented with a one-of-a-kind work of art created by past WITNESS Teaching Artist Ta-Coumba Aiken.  The Reatha Clark King Award for Excellence…  Read More

Past Winners

2019: Carols with violin Travis M. Ramsey (Etna, NH) Little Lamb, Who Made Thee Paul John Rudoi (Eugene, OR) The Orbit Carol 2018: Carols with oboe Mark Shepperd (Woodbury, MN) O Jesus So Sweet, O Jesus So Mild Stephen Shewan (Medina, NY) The Little Cradle Rocks Tonight 2017: Carols for a cappella chorus Nancy Gifford (Doylestown, PA) Fill…  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

Awards & Honors

In addition to championing lesser-known works of the past, VocalEssence has an unwavering commitment to today’s composers, which has resulted in more than 140 world premieres to date. The organization has received the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for adventurous programming of contemporary music six times and has been honored with more Chorus America awards than any…  Read More

Elissa Weller

Director of Development phone 612-547-1452 fax 612-547-1484 elissa@vocalessence.org Elissa Weller is Director of Development for VocalEssence, overseeing all philanthropic efforts for the organization including individual, corporate, foundation, and government funding sources, major gifts, special events and fundraisers. In her role, she oversees the Development and Gala committees. Elissa joined VocalEssence in 2007 as the Chorus…  Read More

Robert J. Graham

Learning and Engagement Manager | Conductor, Vintage Voices phone 612-547-1458 fax 612-547-1484 robert@vocalessence.org Robert J. Graham joined the VocalEssence team in August 2012 as both a member of the administrative staff and as a second tenor in the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers.  Robert oversees the operations of the acclaimed VocalEssence WITNESS School Program. In 2015, Robert…  Read More

Awards & Honors

After more than 50 years of championing the power act of singing together, VocalEssence has been recognized by organizations around the world. We received the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for adventurous programming of contemporary music six times and has been honored with more Chorus America awards than any other ensemble nationwide, including the once-in-an-organizational-lifetime Margaret Hillis…  Read More