“Incredible music flawlessly presented and deeply moving. I would come to a performance of Philip’s Additional Favorites every year.” —Philip’s Favorites Audience Member Back by popular demand! VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director Philip Brunelle has more favorite pieces—along with the stories behind the music—from the past 56 years to share. Join the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers…

“Incredible music flawlessly presented and deeply moving. I would come to a performance of Philip’s Additional Favorites every year.” —Philip’s Favorites Audience Member Back by popular demand! VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director Philip Brunelle has more favorite pieces—along with the stories behind the music—from the past 56 years to share. Join the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers…

Sir James MacMillan is a world-renowned Scottish composer and conductor whose belief in the spiritual power of music is evident in all his works. Guided by his strong faith, his music creatively uses melody and dissonance to tell the story of the beauty—and challenging complexity—of life on earth. Join VocalEssence, the U of M University…

Be part of the journey to “keep your eyes on the prize and hold on” as you sing and experience the weaving together of stories that connect our past struggles to our present pursuit of an equitable future for all. VocalEssence joins forces with a collective of Twin Cities-based artists—actors, dancers, storytellers, and musicians—presenting songs…

Taking inspiration from a Chinese fable where a rip in the sky causes the earth to split open, this concert explores love and loss, life and death, and ultimately invites us to work towards transformation and reconciliation. Through the powerful combination of voice and percussion, the VocalEssence Chorus will perform movements from Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Brahms’s…

“Shout for joy!” Back by popular demand, the Bach Society of Minnesota and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers renew their collaboration to tell one of the greatest musical Christmas stories of all time. Hear three cantatas from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio as well as Cantata 40, originally written for the second day of Christmas. Nearly…

“Shout for joy!” Back by popular demand, the Bach Society of Minnesota and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers renew their collaboration to tell one of the greatest musical Christmas stories of all time. Hear three cantatas from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio as well as Cantata 40, originally written for the second day of Christmas. Nearly…

Forget the hustle and bustle—take time to experience the wonder and joy of the season as VocalEssence returns to the magnificent Northrop stage to welcome Christmas in song. Immerse yourself in new and familiar favorites featuring all four VocalEssence ensembles singing together. Mix in harp, brass, percussion, and Northrop’s spectacular Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, plus our special ingredient—your…

Forget the hustle and bustle—take time to experience the wonder and joy of the season as VocalEssence returns to the magnificent Northrop stage to welcome Christmas in song. Immerse yourself in new and familiar favorites featuring all four VocalEssence ensembles singing together. Mix in harp, brass, percussion, and Northrop’s spectacular Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, plus our special ingredient—your…

Join us for the musical journey of Kristina Nilsson and her family, brought to life by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, the legendary songwriters of ABBA. Based on Vilhelm Moberg’s The Emigrants, this concert version of the musical chronicles the Nilsson family and their courageous journey from the harsh realities of mid-19th century Sweden to…