VocalEssence announces the winners of its second annual ReMix mentorship, designed to foster the next generation of choral music composers. VocalEssence ReMix matches four emerging Minnesota composers with mentors for a six-month one-on-one partnership to help each composer complete two new, original choral pieces. These works will premiere at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)… Read More →
Inspired by Leonard Bernstein’s plea that we respond to violence with a renewed resolve “to make music more intensely, more beautifully, and more devotedly than ever before,” we as artists have gotten together to create a musical response to the most recent tragedies. We hope you will join us in our efforts to unite our… Read More →
How do you stay healthy as you age? Just ask anyone in the VocalEssence Vintage Voices program—singing. This spring, Vintage Voices conductor Rob Graham and piano accompanist John Jensen are rehearsing choirs at Sabathani Senior Center and Ebenezer Park Apartments in Minneapolis in preparation for their performances this May. Rehearsals bring seniors together, to socialize… Read More →
How do you make sure that choral music stays relevant? Mix it up—VocalEssence style. 2015 was the launch of VocalEssence ReMix, a program breathing new life into choral music by encouraging break-out musical artists—whether you sing in a rock band or play classical music—to write for choirs. And we just received funding to create a… Read More →
Longfellow Alternative High School in Minneapolis has been filled with song this March with visits by special musical guests from VocalEssence. ¡Cantaré! Composer Francisco Zúñiga Olmos, Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III, and members of the Ensemble Singers are working with six teenage moms to help them write a lullaby for their babies. This is… Read More →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a05dQj0ljpE&feature=youtu.be VocalEssence WITNESS: Morehouse College Glee Club engaged more than 8,000 people in less than a week, thanks to many people in our community (you know who you are!) You are an inspiration to us all. Thank you.
900 audience members in Moorhead experienced “eighty minutes of sheer delight” last Friday night, according to River Songs & Tales with Mark Twain attendee Dr. René Clausen, conductor of The Concordia Choir. As part of an Arts Tour grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, members of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, Associate Conductor G. Phillip… Read More →
Music makes the perfect gift for family and friends, and Cyber Monday through December 25 you can save 20% on tickets to VocalEssence Season Concerts that will make hearts merry well after the holiday season; just use discount code WELCOME1516 at checkout. You can also provide loved ones with the joyful sounds of our latest… Read More →
VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum are pleased to announce the two winning composers of their 18th annual Welcome Christmas Carol Contest. This year, the contest sought new carols for SATB Chorus and trumpet in B-flat or C. Carols composed by Josh Bauder and Laura Caviani, both of Minnesota, were selected from a total of… Read More →
This year we are challenging VocalEssence supporters to help us fill Orchestra Hall with young people in February: 5,418 students are slated to attend the WITNESS Young People’s Concerts to see VocalEssence and the Morehouse College Glee Club on stage. But here’s the catch … The cost of the WITNESS program and Young People’s Concerts… Read More →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si-PTAGf6Nc VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III and a quartet of Ensemble Singers traveled to Wisconsin this week for a two-day choral music festival that cast Phillip as guest conductor of the mass choir of three high schools, while also working with soloists and leading teacher workshops. Ensemble Singers Joseph Ellickson, Robert Graham,… Read More →
Our 47th Season is highlighted by significant collaborations and partnerships, not only artistically, but also with our season sponsors! VocalEssence has partnered with Thrivent Financial in presenting our 2015-2016 Season programming as well as our biennial fundraiser VocalEssence Choralia; we are grateful for the support of this not-for-profit membership organization of Christians that for over… Read More →
When VocalEssence brings in a group like Voz en Punto for VocalEssence Presents: Voz en Punto on November 15, we engage them in more than the performance—we want them to work with all aspects of the community! From November 13-16, the group will visit schools, lead a community sing and perform as part of a… Read More →
Don Shelby has been involved “one way or another” with VocalEssence for the past 25 years, since he first appeared in a production of “Of Thee I Sing.” Now Don is on the board of VocalEssence, and the award-winning former news reporter and anchor has taken on other roles as well. “I’ve played the role… Read More →
Exquisite, moving, and remarkable are words that have been used to describe the VocalEssence Dreams of the Fallen concert on Sunday, October 11 at the O’Shaughnessy, performed by the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers, the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Jeffrey Biegel and Maria Jette, and featuring the Midwest premiere of Jake Runestad’s Dreams of the Fallen.… Read More →
