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Twin Cities choral group VocalEssence continues to bear ‘Witness’ to Black composers

By Rob Hubbard Special to the Star Tribune | May 14, 2021 https://www.startribune.com/twin-cities-choral-group-vocalessence-continues-to-bear-witness-to-black-composers/600056773/?refresh=true The Minneapolis choral organization has led the way for three decades. Photo credit: ANNA MIN VocalEssence members rehearsed for the Witness program with associate conductor G. Phillip Shoultz III at Bethel College’s Benson Concert Hall in St. Paul. Photo by Anna Min…  Read More →

Where in the World are the Conductors-April 2021

April 28, 2021

Philip Brunelle Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle will be spending the last part of April and early May concluding plans for the 53rd VocalEssence season and also hearing many, many singers for their spring auditions. This is always an important part of the year, inviting wonderful voices to be part of the upcoming VocalEssence…  Read More →

VOCALESSENCE TO DELIVER POWERFUL “WITNESS”—ON DEMAND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    CONTACT:   Jennifer Weismann   612-716-0556   jennifer@owl-marketing.com    VOCALESSENCE TO DELIVER POWERFUL “WITNESS” — ON DEMAND   Music that calls us to “be the change” is a timely offering from famed choral music organization highlighting movements of social change in our country    MINNEAPOLIS—April 8, 2021—VocalEssence, one of the world’s premier choral music organizations, brings its 31st annual VocalEssence WITNESS concert to life virtually, highlighting music from movements of social change, including the voting act, sit-ins, police shootings, civil rights,…  Read More →

When can the arts reopen? Dr. Fauci says, ‘If we are careful … sometime in the fall

By: Pamela Espeland MinnPost | March 25, 2021 https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2021/03/when-can-the-arts-reopen-dr-fauci-says-if-we-are-careful-sometime-in-the-fall/?fbclid=IwAR1afJbgFtNRDnPWRLKgC_53bct5MT2I7wmMa24V4jzIdFPXlj9B-SD637c Dr. Anthony Fauci: “Get vaccinated when you are eligible, continue to wear a mask, and socially distance when out in public.” Susan Walsh/Pool via REUTERS ALSO: VocalEssence’s “Call of the North” features Minnesota composers and poets; Davina and the Vagabonds to livestream from the Dakota; and…  Read More →

Once viewed as potential ‘super spreaders,’ Minnesota choirs are emerging again

Rob Hubbard Special to the Star Tribune | March 18, 2021—10:49AM https://www.startribune.com/once-viewed-as-potential-super-spreaders-minnesota-choirs-are-emerging-again/600035749/?om_rid=1590517193&om_mid=2499842505 One more welcome sign of spring:  Minnesota choirs are emerging from hibernation. Dwight Jilek conducted members of Magnum Chorum for their livestream this month. Photo by Flight Creative Media For a state dubbed “The Land of 10,000 Choirs,” the pandemic has been particularly…  Read More →

Where in the World are the Conductors – March 2021

March 16, 2021

For Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle, the month of March is for “Call of the North.” Having finished two full days of recording and videotaping at the IDS Crystal Court with the Ensemble Singers, the coming weeks will be devoted to editing sessions leading to the March 28 premiere at 4PM. At the same…  Read More →

Where in the World are the Conductors – February 2021

February 10, 2021

Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III are hard at work this month preparing for a multitude of upcoming performances. Philip Brunelle The month of February is filled with rehearsals for our next concert, Call of the North; how wonderful to have the Ensemble Singers back together! The concert (to be…  Read More →

VOCALESSENCE PAYS TRIBUTE TO ITS HOME STATE WITH “CALL OF THE NORTH” 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONTACT:  Jennifer Weismann  612-716-0556  Jennifer@owl-marketing.com   VOCALESSENCE PAYS TRIBUTE TO ITS HOME STATE WITH “CALL OF THE NORTH”  Minnesota choral ensemble presents an evening (or afternoon or morning – you choose!)  of uniquely Minnesotan music and poetry   MINNEAPOLIS — February 5, 2021 — VocalEssence has spent much of its half century celebrating sounds and voices from all corners of the globe. Now the celebrated vocal ensemble is taking its…  Read More →

COVID-19 UPDATE – February 4, 2021

February 4, 2021

We hope you are safe and find ways to make the best of this pause that we are experiencing. Below is a status update for our organization. EVENT CHANGES We need to make changes to our spring 2021 schedule because of barriers that we have encountered with COVID-19. Call of the North: We have added…  Read More →

What moment do YOU treasure in 2020?

December 23, 2020

“The two of us watched your musical moments together each day and they truly were the highlight of his day.” —Tracy Rode, Jack Cole’s daughter Jack and Ann Cole were treasured by so many, including VocalEssence. We are humbled to know that Philip Brunelle’s Musical Moments were such a comfort to Jack in his last…  Read More →

Spend Christmas Eve with VocalEssence

December 22, 2020

This Christmas Eve, gather the family (in person and virtually) for a LIVE sing-along and a broadcast of Welcome Christmas.   CHRISTMAS EVE LIVE STREAM Thursday, December 24th at 6:30 PM CST Join Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III for a LIVE Christmas Eve edition of Take 5 with GPS. Usher in the magic by…  Read More →

How do you measure a year?

December 22, 2020

“The two of us watched your musical moments together each day and they truly were the highlight of his day.” —Tracy Rode, Jack Cole’s daughter Jack and Ann Cole were treasured by so many, including VocalEssence. We are humbled to know that Philip Brunelle’s Musical Moments were such a comfort to Jack in his last…  Read More →

VocalEssence pushes forward with annual Christmas concert

By Cathy Wurzer | MPR News Published: December 16, 2020 7:03 a.m. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/12/16/vocalessence-pushes-forward-with-annual-christmas-concert Artistic director Philip Brunelle leads VocalEssence in one of its previous holiday performances. Courtesy of Bruce Silcox   Like so many holiday traditions, VocalEssence’s annual “Welcome Christmas” concert looks a little different this year. Still, the choral ensemble hopes the music brings…  Read More →

VocalEssence singers make a ‘Welcome’ return in video holiday concert

By Rob Hubbard | Star Tribune PUBLISHED: DECEMBER 7, 2020 — 11:42AM https://www.startribune.com/vocalessence-singers-make-a-welcome-return-in-video-holiday-concert/573318241/ REVIEW: VocalEssence returns in a video concert. PHOTO PROVIDED BY VOCALESSENCE Members of VocalEssence masked up to tape their streaming “Welcome Christmas” concert.   Keeping gatherings small was recommended months ago by public health experts seeking to curb COVID. So what’s a…  Read More →

Composers Datebook: “Welcome Christmas” Carol Contest

By John Birge | Your Classical Published: Sunday, December 6 “Welcome Christmas” Carol Contest Synopsis On today’s date in 1998, two brand-new Christmas carols debuted in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during the “Welcome Christmas” choral concert of VocalEssence conducted by Philip Brunelle. The two carols, “Sweet Noel” by Joan Griffith and “The Virgin’s Cradle Hymn” by Richard…  Read More →