In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Louis Vierne. Louis Vierne 1870-1937 French composer and organist Louis Vierne is best known for his work at Notre Dame de Paris where he focused on organ music, including six organ symphonies and a Messe… Read More →
In 1950 the Department of the Treasury gifted each of the 50 states their own Liberty Bell—full sized replicas of the bell in Philadelphia. Each bell, created by the Christoph Paccard Bell Foundry in France, weighs approximately 2,080 pounds. The Minnesota Liberty Bell is rung on four occasions throughout the year and Philip Brunelle was given… Read More →
On today’s episode of 28 Days of Black Excellence we feature American folk artist and quilter, Harriet Powers, who weaved stories into her art to pass stories to future generations. Our musical pairing is “We are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder,” a traditional Negro Spiritual by a hidden figure. Harriet Powers (1837-1910) Notable Achievements: Although not recognized during… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Katherine K. Davis. Katherine K. Davis 1892-1980 Katherine K. Davis, an American pianist, composer, and educator, is best-known for her Christmas tune, Little Drummer Boy. Davis took her first piano lesson as a first grader,… Read More →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE CELEBRATES “28 DAYS OF BLACK EXCELLENCE” FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH Associate conductor G. Phillip Shoultz will feature Black achievements in the arts and beyond during his 9 a.m. daily “Take 5 with GPS” performance series MINNEAPOLIS—January 27, 2021—VocalEssence, one of the world’s premier choral music organizations, will… Read More →
VocalEssence is blessed to have so many committed supporters. Thank you for all that you do to keep our community singing! Although we make every effort to ensure that our Honor Roll list is accurate and complete, we are capable of error. Please let us know if your name does not appear the way you…
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Marcel Dupré. Marcel Dupré 1886-1971 The virtuosic organist, teacher, and composer Marcel Dupré was born into a musical family and started as organist of St. Vivien at age twelve. He studied organ with Alexandre Guilmant… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Lennox Berkeley. He is joined by mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski. Lennox Berkeley 1903-1989 The skilled composer Sir Lennox Berkeley composed in many different genres, but especially found acclaim with his gorgeous choral pieces. He was born… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Gerardo Cárdenas. Gerardo Cárdenas b. 1957 Gerardo Cárdenas is a composer based in Morelia, México. He studied in France under Jacques Castérède at L’École Normal de Musique de Paris and the Paris Conservatoire and completed… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Francis Poulenc. Francis Poulenc 1899-1963 Francis Poulenc was a renowned French composer best known for his religious music and compositions of mélodie. He was born into a wealthy, musical family and began studying piano at… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Egil Hovland. Egil Hovland 1924-2013 As one of the most prominent Norwegian composers, works from Hovland’s vast compositional output are performed widely throughout Scandinavia, but have found less of a foothold in the United States.… Read More →
When Fred and Ann Moore lived in Wisconsin, they were familiar with VocalEssence, having attended several holiday concerts over the years. “But our association began in earnest when we moved to Minnesota seven years ago and started going to almost every concert,” said Fred, who recently joined the VocalEssence board of directors. With such faithful… Read More →
