VocalEssence Annual Report 2021-2022

“INSPIRED”—was the word used most frequently by patrons to describe their engagement with VocalEssence during the 2021-2022 season. Inspiration was at the center of everything we did this year: Our Chorus and Ensemble Singers were inspired to return to singing in person at venues ranging from Orchestra Hall to the Historic Holmes Theatre in Detroit…

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

Charles Wood | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Charles Wood. Charles Wood 1866-1926 Charles Wood was an Irish composer and teacher primarily remembered and performed as an Anglican church music composer. Wood received his early education at the Cathedral Choir School in Dublin…  Read More

Henry Walford Davies | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Henry Walford Davies.   Henry Walford Davies 1869-1941 Henry Walford Davies was an English composer and organist well known for his broadcast talks and gramophone records. He was a prolific composer and many of his…  Read More

Edward Barnes | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Edward Barnes. Edward Barnes b. 1958 Edward Barnes is a renowned composer, Broadway producer, and public speaker. Barnes studied music composition at the Juilliard School with composers Vincent Persichetti and David Diamond, and at Dartington…  Read More

Pierre Villette | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Pierre Villette. Pierre Villette 1926-1998 Pierre Villette was a French composer of choral and instrumental music. Born into a musical family he studied with Maurice Duruflé before attending the Paris Conservatoire. In 1957, Villette was…  Read More

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber b. 1948 Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber is an eminent British composer of some of the world’s best-known musicals. His notable works include Cats, Joseph and The Amazing…  Read More

Ēriks Ešenvalds | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Ēriks Ešenvalds. Ēriks Ešenvalds b. 1977 Ēriks Ešenvalds is one of the most sought-after composers working today, with a busy commission schedule and performances of his music heard on every continent. Born in Priekule, Latvia,…  Read More