In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Jake Runestad, featuring a performance by the composer himself. Jake Runestad b. 1986 The prolific Minnesota-based composer Jake Runestad composes for virtually all types of classical genres and ensembles and is especially praised for his… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Florence Price. Florence Price 1887-1953 The trailblazing composer and teacher Florence Price was the first Black American woman to gain widespread acclaim for her work as a symphonic composer. Price was born in Little Rock,… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Hector Berlioz. Hector Berlioz 1803-1869 During his lifetime, the music of the innovative French conductor and composer Hector Berlioz was highly controversial. The son of a doctor, Berlioz defied his parents’ wishes for him to… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Nathaniel Dett. Nathaniel Dett 1882-1943 Canadian-American composer, educator, and conductor Nathaniel Dett not only wrote over one hundred works for choirs, solo voice, instrumental ensembles, and piano, but also played an important role as an… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Gerald Finzi. Gerald Finzi 1901-1956 British composer Gerald Finzi was born in London and moved to Harrogate, North Yorkshire at age 7 after the death of his father. He studied music with Ernest Farrar from… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Leonard Bernstein. This episode features tenor Bradley Greenwald. Leonard Bernstein 1918-1990 Bernstein was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and educated at Harvard University, the Curtis Institute of Music, and Tanglewood, a summer institute where he later… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Timothy Takach. Timothy Takach b. 1978 Inspired by captivating narrative, speculative fiction and making better humans through art, the music of Timothy Takach has risen fast in the concert world. Applauded for his melodic lines,… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Antonio Vivaldi. Antonio Vivaldi 1678-1741 Italian Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi found the greatest acclaim in his lifetime for his works for strings, but today, he is regarded as a master composer of opera and church… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Ottorino Respighi. Ottorino Respighi 1879-1936 Italian composer Ottorino Respighi is most known for his orchestral works, but he also composed several superb pieces for choir. Respighi’s father, a piano teacher, encouraged him in his study… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel. This episode features two guest performers: soprano Maria Jette and VocalEssence’s pianist Mary Jo Gothmann. Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel 1805-1847 During her lifetime, German composer Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel was not nearly as well-known as her brother,… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Felix Mendelssohn. Felix Mendelssohn 1809-1847 German composer Felix Mendelssohn was one of the most prominent composers and conductors during his lifetime. His father facilitated a well-rounded education for Felix and his siblings, which included a… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Jesús López Moreno. Jesús López Moreno b. 1971 Serving as artistic director of the children’s choir at Valle de Chalco in México City and as organist and chapel master of the National Basilica of Our… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Gustav Holst. Gustav Holst 1874-1934 The beloved English composer and teacher Gustav Holst was born into a musical family and his early musical experiences included the study of piano, violin, and trombone. He began composing… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Mark Sirett. Mark Sirett b. 1952 Composer, organist, and conductor Mark Sirett was raised and currently resides in Kingston, Ontario. After receiving his master’s and doctoral degrees in choral conducting and pedagogy from the University… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Rosephanye Powell. Rosephanye Powell b. 1962 The African-American composer, singer, and voice professor Rosephanye Powell is a leader among choral composers today. Powell has degrees in voice and music education from Alabama State University (B.M.E),… Read More →
