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 →
This spring, the VocalEssence Board and Staff are excited to embark on a multi-year journey into Intercultural Organizational Development to assist in furthering our Inclusion, Access, and Equity commitment. After interviewing multiple consultants, the VocalEssence Executive Committee of the Board has approved working with Beth Zemsky. Beth comes to VocalEssence after decades of experience in… Read More →
In the fall of 2017, the Board of Directors voted to diversify the audience, singers, board, staff and vendors by age and by race. Prior to determining what exactly would change and how we would accomplish this, we sought to listen to members of our community specifically around the following: (1) what barriers may exist… Read More →
VocalEssence seeks to develop future singing generations in ways that are reflective of and responsive to diverse constituencies. We will offer inclusive and accessible artistic opportunities at the core of our creative engagement. The table below highlights our intentions drafted in our 2018-2020 Strategic Plan to advance inclusion, access and equity. Through our recent 8-month… Read More →
Thank you for your consideration of a gift of stock to VocalEssence! Your donation is greatly appreciated and will be used to unite our community through song. Below is the information that you may need for the stock transfer. Please ask your broker to identify the source of the gift by providing your name on the… Read More →
VocalEssence will provide a secure environment for collecting donations and maintaining internal controls governing the safekeeping of all confidential donor financial and personal information. In all financial information systems and financial transactions, VocalEssence will work to protect the financial information of donors and earn the trust they have placed in the organization. VocalEssence does not… Read More →
Nonprofit choral performance and community engagement organization VocalEssence has hired Jeffrey Bina as its new Director of Finance and Operations. Bina joins the organization from Twin Cities-based men’s vocal ensemble Cantus, where he served as Operations and Finance Manager. At Cantus, he directed the logistical aspects of its local concert season, overseeing everything from venue… Read More →
CONTACT: Katrina Wallmeyer 612-547-1472 katrina@vocalessence.org VOCALESSENCE WELCOMES FOUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS MINNEAPOLIS — August 25, 2016 — Minneapolis-based arts organization VocalEssence announced today that four new members have joined its Board of Directors—Steve Aggergaard, Julie Bader, Julie Craven, and Nancy Nelson. All four new board members have a wealth of experience and have been… Read More →
Exquisite, moving, and remarkable are words that have been used to describe the VocalEssence Dreams of the Fallen concert on Sunday, October 11 at the O’Shaughnessy, performed by the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers, the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Jeffrey Biegel and Maria Jette, and featuring the Midwest premiere of Jake Runestad’s Dreams of the Fallen.… Read More →
When a co-worker suggested to Jenny Wade in 2011 that she might be a good fit to take his place on the VocalEssence board of directors, he didn’t know that she enjoyed singing and was in her church choir—a good fit indeed. So that Jenny might get a better feel for what VocalEssence is about,… Read More →
CONTACT: Katrina Wallmeyer 612-547-1472 katrina@vocalessence.org VOCALESSENCE WELCOMES SIX NEW BOARD MEMBERS MINNEAPOLIS — March 18, 2015 — Minneapolis-based choral ensemble VocalEssence announced today that six new members have joined its Board of Directors – Ann Farrell, Joe Kalkman, Alfred Moore, David Myers, Timothy C. Takach, and Dorene Tebbe Wernke. All six new board members have… Read More →
CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com TV LEGEND DON SHELBY IS MARK TWAIN: VocalEssence brings historic figure to life in November with River Songs and Tales with Mark Twain Tour MINNEAPOLIS—October 29, 2014—Minneapolis-based choral ensemble VocalEssence will employ choral music and the words of Mark Twain this November to pay homage to life on the Mississippi… Read More →
If John Nuechterlein’s organization, the American Composers Forum (ACF), resembles in any way, shape or form the one founded by Philip Brunelle at VocalEssence, that’s probably not completely accidental. The symmetry between the two men—and the non-profits—is striking if not remarkable. And, of course, musically correct. One might even say that the Composers Forum is… Read More →
CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE FINDS A NEW VOICE! 46-year-old world-renowned choral ensemble undergoes rebranding — the first since its renaming in 2002 MINNEAPOLIS — SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 — VocalEssence — the iconic choral ensemble that has enchanted audiences for decades — turned 46 this year, and as often happens around this age, the arts organization… Read More →
Minnesota is home to one of the truly international gems in choral music—the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers. This 32-voice professional chorus sings under the direction of VocalEssence founder Philip Brunelle and associate conductor G. Phillip Shoultz III. In addition to the full biographies provided above, we offer the following resources for your consideration: Sample program and audio… Read More →
