VocalEssence founder and artistic director Philip Brunelle was featured on Steele Talkin’ with Jearlyn Steele March 3, 2019 to talk about Candide, The Times They Are A-Changin’, and the VocalEssence 2019-2020 Season. Check out the interview below.
Since 1973, when the first commission by VocalEssence led Dominick Argento to compose Jonah and the Whale, the organization has ardently supported new music. More than 300 commissions later, VocalEssence Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle explains how commissioning works. Why does VocalEssence commission so much original work? Just as we don’t want to lose sight of the composers… Read More →
The Faire Starre is the latest “Welcome Christmas” commission of VocalEssence, following wonderful pieces by Libby Larsen, Conrad Susa and many others. Nico Muhly is one of the ‘bright lights’ in the world of choral composers – his most recent success was his opera, Marnie, premiered at the Metropolitan Opera a month ago. The Faire… Read More →
Philip Brunelle has been the song leader of the Twin Cities for 50 years. But how he got there? It wasn’t all a joyful song. by Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl June 18, 2018: http://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/how-philip-brunelle-became-the-twin-cities-song-leader/ Philip Brunelle is 75 years old and an international icon in choir circles, and if you follow him around on a typical Tuesday night… Read More →
VocalEssence artistic staff Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz, III were featured on Steele Talkin’ with Jearlyn Steele June 3, 2018 to talk about the VocalEssence 50th Season. Check out the interview below.
In preparation for the Rutter Returns concert on Saturday, April 21, 2018, VocalEssence Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle answered a few questions about John Rutter. When did you first learn about John Rutter (and his music)? I have always been curious about discovering composers new to me from all over the world. It was early in the… Read More →
By Pamela Espeland | 06/04/15 Philip Brunelle has rubbed elbows, figuratively speaking, with a lot of greats. Not long after founding VocalEssence in 1969, he called Aaron Copland and invited him to Minnesota to conduct a performance of his choral music. Surprised and delighted – he was always asked to conduct his symphonies, but never… Read More →
Artistic Director and Founder phone 612-547-1451 fax 612-547-1484 philip@vocalessence.org Download High Resolution Press Photo Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder of VocalEssence, is an internationally renowned conductor, choral scholar and visionary. He has made his lifelong mission the promotion of the choral art in all its forms, especially rarely heard works of the past and worthwhile new music.… Read More →
Artistic Director and Founder phone 612-547-1451 fax 612-547-1484 philip@vocalessence.org Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder of VocalEssence, is an internationally renowned conductor, choral scholar and visionary. He has made his lifelong mission the promotion of the choral art in all its forms, especially rarely heard works of the past and outstanding new music. Under his… Read More →
MINNEAPOLIS (May 16, 2011) Today Ana Luisa Fajer, the Consul of Mexico in St. Paul, presented VocalEssence Artistic Director Philip Brunelle with the Ohtli Recognition Award at the quarterly VocalEssence board meeting in downtown Minneapolis. Once a year, the government of Mexico presents this award to a civilian living outside the country for contributions made to the empowerment of Mexican… Read More →
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (April 7, 2010) — The Alliance Française de Minneapolis and St. Paul is honoring two Minnesotans for their dedication to promoting French language and culture with the prestigious Médaillons de l’Alliance Française. The Award of Excellence will be given to Philip Brunelle, internationally renowned artistic director of VocalEssence, for featuring no less than… Read More →
