Philip Brunelle: With the conclusion of VocalEssence 53rd season and the completion of auditions for season 54, Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle will be working on plans for the coming season as well as time to “attack” the filing of music and correspondence that awaits him! He is very pleased that this month his… Read More →
by Steve Marsh Mpls.St.Paul Magazine | May 7, 2022 https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/police-drummer-stewart-copeland-vocalessence/ The Police drummer Stewart Copeland is in St. Paul this weekend for the regional premiere of his new chorale piece inspired by Paradise Lost. Courtesy of Shayne Gray Stewart Copeland is in St. Paul this weekend to debut his new chorale piece Satan’s Fall, sung by the vaunted VocalEssence… Read More →
By Ross Raihala | rraihala@pioneerpress.com Pioneer Press | May 5, 2022 https://www.twincities.com/2022/05/05/police-drummer-stewart-copeland-vocalessence-satans-fall-concert/ Stewart Copeland is best known as the drummer in the Police. (He’s also known as the guy who broke lead singer Sting’s rib in a band-related fight.) But the 69-year-old didn’t stop making music when the Police called it a day in 1986. Instead, he focused… Read More →
By Jon Bream Star Tribune | May 05, 2022 https://m.startribune.com/the-police-stewart-copeland-minneapolis-oratorio-sting-vocalessence-mall-of-america-andy-summers/600170658/?clmob=y&c=n Stewart Copeland is going choral with VocalEssence and says no more Police reunions. Stewart Copeland has written scores for movies and TV shows, composed operas and oratorios and music for ballets and video games. He’s directed a rockumentary, authored a memoir and performed with orchestras. This year,… Read More →
By Rob Hubbard Star Tribune | March 29, 2022 https://www.startribune.com/vocalessence-revisits-dylan-classics/600160297/ The choral group will perform the bard’s songs in Detroit Lakes Friday, Grand Rapids Saturday and Red Wing April 30. VOCALESSENCE VocalEssence’s “Bob Dylan Revisited” Tour will include the choir, accompanied by a string quintet and piano. Well, if you’re traveling in the north country… Read More →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE AND FAMED ROCK DRUMMER STEWART COPELAND OF THE POLICE PRESENT PARADISE LOST-INSPIRED ORATORIO “SATAN’S FALL” Regional premiere at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis—May 8 MINNEAPOLIS—March 31, 2021—VocalEssence will present the regional premiere of Satan’s Fall, the choral work composed by famed British rock drummer Stewart Copeland and… Read More →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 jennifer@owl-marketing.com DIVERSE HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR VOCALESSENCE SINGERS OF THIS AGE CELEBRATE COMMUNITY IN “CHOOSING LOVE” CONCERT Young singers with uplifting message of acceptance perform at the Ordway in St Paul, April 24 MINNEAPOLIS—March 31, 2022—Reimagining our community as a beloved source of acceptance, affirmation, and love for every… Read More →
Grand Rapids Herald Review | March 18, 2022 https://www.grandrapidsmn.com/news/vocalessence-takes-the-music-of-bob-dylan-on-a-minnesota-tour/article_f3180904-a4a9-11ec-aa15-a795169a94f8.html From Jimi Hendrix to the Kronos Quartet, Bob Dylan’s music has been covered by just about everyone. Members of the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers will present their own take on Minnesota’s native son. “The Times They Are A-Changin’: The Words and Music of Bob Dylan,”… Read More →
There are times where it is difficult to know how to respond to tragedy. On the evening of Ash Wednesday, composer John Rutter heard Valentin Silvestrov’s choral setting of the following text, “Good Lord, protect Ukraine. Give her strength, courage, faith, hope. Amen.” He decided to use his talents to compose his own setting of… Read More →
So many thoughts fill my mind thinking of dear Sigrid, affectionately known to all singers as “Ears Johnson” for she truly had the most amazing way of discerning the sound of each individual voice. For 24 years at VocalEssence she was my colleague, my musical conscience, a joyful supporter for a great realm of music,…
Our hearts are with the people of Ukraine. Please enjoy “Ščedryk”, a Ukrainian New Year’s carol by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovich, arranged by Philip Brunelle. This carol, traditionally sung on January 13, tells the story of a swallow flying into a house to sing of wealth that will come the following spring (you can hear the bird… Read More →
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About VocalEssence Founded in 1969, as a music outreach program of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis Incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1979 Annual Budget: $2 million Endowment/Artistic Advancement Fund: $6 million (established 1987) STAFF 10 full-time, 2 part-time, 3 contractors Executive Director: Mary Ann Aufderheide Artistic Director and Founder: Philip Brunelle Associate…
VocalEssence has several opportunities to listen and watch over the holidays. Here are the ways you can enjoy VocalEssence programming: 2021 VocalEssence Digital Concerts These concerts can be accessed anytime, anywhere! Bach’s Christmas Oratorio Welcome Christmas Broadcasts YourClassical MPR is airing each of the four Bach Cantatas on the following dates and times. Tune in… Read More →
