Sing a wide range of music—from classical to hip-hop & everything in between Perform in world-class venues—Orchestra Hall, The Ordway Center for Performing Arts Awaken your creativity by studying voice, dance, theatre, and spoken word Travel throughout the state and region Rehearse at Augsburg University to provide exposure to life in college Belong to an accepting community of your peers from… Read More →
Each year dozens of experienced singers from the Twin Cities and beyond audience or interview to be a part of the VocalEssence performing ensembles. If you’d like to sing with us, please click on the page below. VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers Come and sing with one of our adult choirs, the VocalEssence Chorus or… Read More →
For Artistic Director Philip Brunelle, the end of the concert season with our Bob Dylan tribute was a festive conclusion to season 50! Now we are in the midst of finalizing plans for season 51 and beyond. The month of May is also filled with auditions – about 50 hours’ worth. Each year those in… Read More →
By Pamela Espeland | MinnPost April 24, 2019: https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2019/04/yellow-tree-lyric-arts-artistry-2019-20-lineups/ Photo by Guy Magno A scene from a previous production of “Another Miracle on Christmas Lake.” Take a break from downtown parking woes … in both cities. Good theater happens in places that have ample free parking just outside the door. Three robust theater companies have recently… Read More →
by Terry Blain | Star Tribune April 21, 2019 — 2:00PM: http://www.startribune.com/the-week-s-five-best-twin-cities-classical-concerts/508820582/ Ireland’s best The Palestrina Choir was formed in Dublin, Ireland, in the 1890s, with a home base at St. Mary’s pro-Cathedral. Part of a Midwest tour, the choir’s St. Paul date is definitely a must-see for choir lovers. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Cathedral of… Read More →
Thank you to the 262 people who took the Candide Survey. The VocalEssence staff analyzes the results and uses the information to plan for better performances in the future. Below is a summary of the results. 40% of attendees were attending their very first VocalEssence event, and 26% of respondents attended VocalEssence concerts more than… Read More →
Following the amazing success of Candide, Artistic Director Philip Brunelle was in Mexico City for meetings about the Ensemble Singers next visit there in August 2019. He and his wife Carolyn also spent four days vacationing in Oaxaca (a rarity!). On Sunday, April 7 he will accompany the five Plymouth Church soloists in a concert as… Read More →
Minneapolis and Trillium Woods in Plymouth are busy learning and preparing music to perform at their upcoming spring concerts! This spring Rob added a new part of the program called “singer check-ins”, where each singer reserved a 10-minute time slot with Rob to test their vocal range and share any vocal health concerns they may… Read More →
This weekend around the Twin Cities: Waffle Day, classic musicals, more By Erik Tormoen | Minnesota Monthly March 21, 2019 https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/general/weekend-best-bets-march-22-24/ Candide at the Cowles What: Candide When: March 21-24, various showtimes Where: Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis It’s Leonard Bernstein’s other musical: a Broadway-bedazzled operetta, goofier than West Side, with less snapping but a… Read More →
Star Tribune MARCH 17, 2019 — 2:00PM: http://www.startribune.com/the-week-s-five-best-twin-cities-classical-concerts/507213622/ Medieval gets modern Picture a trio singing medieval works. Add newly penned pieces and plenty of electronics. Then squint a little, adjusting for the unexpected. Liquid Music and the Walker Art Center present an evening that toggles between 12th-century chants and world premieres. Vocal trio ModernMedieval —… Read More →
by Basil Considine | Twin Cities Arts Reader March 18, 2019: https://twincitiesarts.com/2019/03/18/interview-soprano-liv-redpath-on-singing-in-the-best-of-all-possible-worlds/ Opera is seemingly everywhere in the Twin Cities in March, with productions and concerts by the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Opera, Skylark Opera Theatre, and more. Into this tangled period leaps the choral music ensemble VocalEssence, which has chosen “The Best of All Possible… Read More →
Both Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III will be attending the national convention of ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) in Kansas City the last days of February. It is an important time for them to connect with colleagues and also to attend the premiere of Dr. André Thomas’… Read More →
Dominick Argento was an amazing man—he was my teacher, colleague and personal friend of our family. When I arrived at the University of Minnesota, I signed up for History of Opera, not knowing that I would have the best professor on opera as my teacher! I have often said that if you wish to take… Read More →
Three Performances Saturday, December 14, 2019 Crafts: 9-9:30 AM, Concert: 9:30-10:15 AM Crafts: 11-11:30 AM, Concert: 11:30 AM-12:15 PM Crafts: 1-1:30 PM, Concert: 1:30-2:15 PM Reception Hall, Minneapolis Institute of Art 2400 3rd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404 Deck the hall with VocalEssence at this hands-on holiday event. Clap, wiggle, and sing along to your favorite holiday classics, and try… Read More →
“Life after 50” could be a challenge for some, but not for VocalEssence! We are moving from one anniversary to the next. This season marks 30 years since we began our VocalEssence WITNESS program honoring the contributions of African Americans to the arts. We are celebrating with two WITNESS-themed performances this season—What a Mighty God… Read More →
