In preparation for the 3rd Annual Together We Sing Festival, VocalEssence Associate Conductor Phillip Shoultz has devoted time this summer to developing a relationship with Ujamaa Place. After meeting with Executive Director, Otis Zanders, and touring the facilities, Phillip recently led his first talk in a series of presentations that will explore, “Sharing Your Truth:… Read More →
VocalEssence is pleased to announce the following winners of the 21st annual VocalEssence Welcome Christmas Carol Contest. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all who applied. Sponsored by the American Composers Forum and VocalEssence, the contest is open to composers of all ages, and this season composers were asked to write a carol… Read More →
Musician/Pianist Anita Ruth has been active in the Twin Cities theatrical and musical circles for over 35 years. After serving as musical director for over 80 shows at the Chanhassen Dinner Theaters, she has led a varied and exciting life as a freelance musician and educator. She spent eight years with the Children’s Theater Company in… Read More →
Musician/Singer/Actor Regional Emmy Award-winning actor, vocalist, arts educator and community organizer T. Mychael Rambo has made an indelible mark in the Twin Cities performing principle roles at such theaters as Penumbra, the Guthrie, Ordway, Illusion Theatre, Mixed Blood, Park Square Theatre, Children’s Theatre and Minnesota Opera, to name but a few. Nationally and internationally his… Read More →
Singer/Songwriter/Actress Ginger Commodore is a singer, songwriter and actress who enjoys an illustrious career in the Twin Cities area. She is an original member of the Grammy Award-winning singing ensemble The Sounds of Blackness and several local Gospel groups. She is also an original member of the vocal jazz ensemble Moore by Four. She’s shared… Read More →
Drummer/Music Producer Brandon Commodore is a talented musician, producer and businessman. Brandon’s passion for music started at a very young age, when he picked up drumsticks and followed very close in his father’s footsteps; playing in school bands and continuing his music studies into college. Shortly after graduating high school, Brandon joined the Grammy Award winning Sounds of Blackness… Read More →
VocalEssence connects senior citizens with the social and mental health benefits of group singing through its Vintage Voices program. VocalEssence Vintage Voices meets seniors on their own turf, providing choral instruction at senior centers and residences. This spring, the program is sponsoring choirs at three different locations: Trillium Woods in Plymouth, Sabathani Senior Center in… Read More →
VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! brings the talents of composers from Mexico into Minnesota classrooms. This year’s composers are Bernardo Feldman and Jimena Contreras, who were in Minnesota for a residency March 12-23, 2018. It was their second of three total visits to our VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! partner schools. This trip the composers had an opportunity to meet with… Read More →
The singers from the VocalEssence Youth Choir recently announced themselves to the local community using their official name: VocalEssence Singers Of This Age, or SOTA, for short. Since this is the inaugural year for the diverse choir, with students from all over the Twin Cities, the students were given the task naming the group. “During… Read More →
Our conductors had a great time with VocalEssence WITNESS: Of Such I Dream and the debut of the new youth choir, VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (SOTA). But there’s always another adventure around the corner for Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Philip Brunelle will be escaping to warmer quarters… Read More →
VocalEssence was thrilled to kick off Super Bowl Live on Friday, January 26, 2018 on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis with guest artists Idina Menzel and Esera Tuaolo. Enjoy this clip of members of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers performing a Minnesota medley for the crowd. Thank you to the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee for the… Read More →
Over 170 participants and guests artists connected during the daylong Together We Sing Festival on Jan. 13. Attendees had great things to say—and we’d like to share some of our favorite responses: “I really enjoyed the guest artists and exercising my voice, mind, and body in new ways,” said one. And from another: “I had… Read More →
While the busy holiday season is behind them, the new year holds plenty of exciting projects for our in-demand conductors, Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Our Ensemble Singers are putting the final polish on their preparations for the Super Bowl LIVE kickoff concert. Philip Brunelle is leading them in… Read More →
Is there anything more cheering on a snowy winter weekend than joining in song with your fellow lovers of choral music? Two upcoming community sing-along events provide the perfect opportunity to create a beautiful experience—whatever your skill level. (Hint: nobody will know if you just move your lips during the hard parts!) The Minnesota Chorale… Read More →
VocalEssence is thrilled to announce that it has been tapped to kick off the Super Bowl Live festivities in Minneapolis. This January, in a kick-off event leading up to Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers will perform a 20 minute set on Nicollet Mall before Idina Menzel, Tony Award-Winner and… Read More →
