Returning from a VERY successful series of 4 concerts in Mexico City with the Ensemble Singers, Philip Brunelle immediately plunged into rehearsals for his 51st VocalEssence season as well as planning a number of special events for the fall and winter (with lots of meetings!). Following the opening Retreat rehearsal the Ensemble Singers presented a… Read More →
SUNDAY 9/1/2019 and MONDAY 9/2/2019 The End and the Beginning We are home, and after the whirlwind of Saturday and Sunday, the dust has settled. I’m late in writing about our last days of our trip because I’m dazed, and it all seems like a dream. But then I open my Facebook page, and… Read More →
THURSDAY 8/29/2019 COLORES It is such a pleasure to sing with the Coro and Orquesta de Mineria. For starters, they are kind and warm and hilarious. But also, the colors in their voices. Tonight, I asked my seatmate Roxanne if she heard a difference in the vocal colors of the American and Mexican singers.… Read More →
WEDNESDAY 8/28/2019 WHAT LASTS “¿Listos?” Maestro Prieto said. He spoke in both English and Spanish, often switching mid-sentence. “¡Coro! No anxiety, sin ansiedad, about an early ‘s’, por un ‘s’ temprano, on the word ‘agnus.’” His speech was quick, and his gestures animated. Giving direction to the basses, he said, “You sing like…” He… Read More →
TUESDAY 8/27/2019 Hands We each went our own ways this morning and early afternoon. Some visited Frieda Kahlo’s house Casa Azul, some the Museo Nacional de Antropología, and some Castillo de Chapultepec. There is no end to the beauty and wonders of Mexico City. At 3:30 we put on our concert clothes and piled… Read More →
The end of July found artistic director Philip Brunelle in Hong Kong, where the Hong Kong Children’s Choir celebrated its 50th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of VocalEssence. He also found time to stop in London and Gloucester for the Three Choirs Festival, where he enjoyed a Bob Chilcott premiere, and met with composer James… Read More →
David Vogels: The American Organist TAO August 2019 Many of you recognize Philip Brunelle as a world-class choral conductor, based on his tenure with Plymouth Congregational Church and the VocalEssence ensemble in Minneapolis—he’s currently celebrating his 50th anniversary with both organizations. You may also know him as an opera conductor and a director of music festivals… Read More →
One of the most promising aspects of our 2018-2020 Strategic Plan is our push to expand the “we” in “Together We Sing!” We’re doing this by advancing inclusion, access, and equity in our organization. We’re lucky enough to live in a diverse community where people of all ages and backgrounds are passionate about music. By… Read More →
In his “wonderful and busy” June and July, Artistic Director Philip Brunelle has been making music with old friends and new. He returned to the podium to conduct the Lake Harriet Pops Orchestra, a post he held for 10 seasons, and filled the air outside the Lake Harriet Bandshell with the music of Bernstein and… Read More →
Two Performances: Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 4-5:30 PM Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 7-8:30 PM Summit Center for Arts & Innovation 1524 Summit Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55105 PERFORMERS VocalEssence Ensemble Singers Ruggero Allifranchini, violin Philip Brunelle, conductor Soak in the intimate beauty of the human voice in this unique chamber performance exploring the relationship between the human… Read More →
Four Performances: Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 7:30-9:30 PM Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 4-6 PM Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis Friday, December 13, 2019 at 7:30-9:30 PM Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 4-6 PM Roseville Lutheran Church, Roseville VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers… Read More →
VocalEssence brings people together through song, and we want you to join us! Get Minnesota Singing Tour: VocalEssence is going on the road to Greater Minnesota to bring our communities together through song. Together We Sing Festival: In partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society, VocalEssence invites you to spend part of your MLK weekend to… Read More →
VocalEssence brings our community together through song. Our concerts and events inspire people of all ages to connect with each other, hear beautiful music, and create music of their own. Concert Series: Each season, VocalEssence performs 5-7 concerts around the community for audiences ages 6 and up. Our music goes beyond the typical choir standards,… Read More →
Artistic Director Philip Brunelle just returned from England meeting with John Rutter, Sir Stephen Cleobury (just knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours), Simon Halsey and Katie Rowan—the person helping us with the U.S. premiere in October of Ina Boyle’s music. He and his wife Carolyn also enjoyed a week’s vacation in Wales and on the… Read More →
Teacher Orientation Seminar October 5, 2019 This year’s VocalEssence WITNESS Teacher Orientation Seminar will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. The cost of the seminar is $20, which includes up to 5 clock hours of professional development CEU credit and copies of the VocalEssence WITNESS Teacher Resource Guide… Read More →
