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Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson | Women’s History Month with GPS

March 1, 2021

Today, we highlight physicist, researcher, and University president, Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson. Our musical inspiration is a call to supporting each other, “I’ll Be There” as made popular by the Jackson 5, Mariah Carey, and other artists. Learn More https://www.pbs.org/weta/finding-your-roots/about/meet-our-guests/shirley-jackson https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/shirley-ann-jackson/ https://www.aps.org/careers/physicists/profiles/sjackson.cfm Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and…  Read More →

Horatio Parker | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 23, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Horatio Parker.  Horatio Parker 1863-1919 Horatio William Parker received his earliest musical training from his mother who instructed him in piano, organ, and music theory. He went on to study composer George Chadwick, with whom…  Read More →

Igor Stravinsky | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 22, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Igor Stravinsky.  Igor Stravinsky 1882-1971 Igor Stravinsky was a Russian-born composer whose work had a revolutionary impact on music before and after World War I and whose compositions are examples of modernism within the music…  Read More →

Arthur B. Jennings | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 19, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Arthur B. Jennings. Arthur B. Jennings 1887-1972 Arthur B. Jennings, known to many as “Herr” Jennings, was an American composer and organist known for his work at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. The son of…  Read More →

Jester Hairston | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 19, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Jester Hairston.  Jester Hairston 1901-2000 Jester Hairston was an American actor, composer, songwriter, arranger, choral conductor, Goodwill Ambassador, and expert on Spirituals. He was born in Belews Creek, North Carolina, the grandson of a slave,…  Read More →

Carl Heinrich Graun | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 19, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Carl Heinrich Graun.  Carl Heinrich Graun 1704-1759 Carl Heinrich Graun was a German composer of operas and sacred music, known especially for his Passion oratorio Der Tod Jesu. Graun was a chorister in Dresden, and…  Read More →

Coreen Duffy | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 19, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Coreen Duffy. Coreen Duffy b. 1976 Dr. Coreen Duffy is the Interim Director of Choral Activities at the University of Montana School of Music, where she conducts the Chamber Chorale, Cantemus Women’s Choir, and University…  Read More →

Thea Musgrave | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 19, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Thea Musgrave. Thea Musgrave b. 1928 Rich and powerful musical language and a strong sense of drama make Scottish-American composer Thea Musgrave one of the most respected contemporary composers in the Western world. Born in…  Read More →

F. Melius Christiansen | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 13, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer F. Melius Christiansen. F. Melius Christiansen 1871-1955 F. Melius Christiansen is an American conductor, educator, and composer of Norwegian birth known for founding and arranging music for the St. Olaf Choir. Born into a family…  Read More →

Karla Nweje

Karla Nweje is an arts educator, choreographer, performer, and literary artist known for cultivating partnerships across organizations and programs to make quality arts experiences accessible to all learners. Karla is a regular presenter and speaker at arts and education conferences and serves on the teaching artist roster for many organizations.

Ginger Commodore

Ginger Commodore is a singer, songwriter, and actress who enjoys an illustrious career in the Twin Cities area. An original member of the Grammy Award winning Sounds of Blackness and the Moore by Four vocal jazz ensemble, Ginger has shared the stage with countless stars and has taken her inspirational performances around the globe. Click…

Frequently Asked Questions

What devices work with the VocalEssence WITNESS Resource Portal?  VocalEssence videos can be accessed through the WITNESS Resource Portal and are streamed through a private Vimeo link. Anywhere you can play online videos—computer, tablet, smartphone, or smart TV—you can watch VocalEssence videos.  Can I watch videos on my television?  Yes, there are many options to…

VocalEssence WITNESS Classroom Resource Hub

Welcome from the LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT TEAM Thank you for registering for VocalEssence WITNESS! Enjoy these free resources funded by institutions and individual donors. Scroll down to view a variety of resources created by curriculum writer Joanna Cortright and the VocalEssence Learning and Engagement team staff. We hope you and your students will use and…

Arvo Pärt | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

February 11, 2021

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Arvo Pärt. Arvo Pärt b. 1935 Arvo Pärt is an Estonian composer known for his unique musical language, tintinnabuli. Born in Paide, his family soon moved to Rakvere, where he began to study piano at…  Read More →