Join GPS for the 13th installment in our series highlighting Black excellence. Today we honor the work of Lloyd Augustus Hall, a pioneer in the food preservation industry. The perfect musical pairing on this Valentine’s weekend–how about a little Four Tops and “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch (I can’t help myself)“? Join us! Lloyd Augustus Hall… Read More →
Happy Friday! Today marks the twelfth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Mark E. Dean, computer scientist and engineer, who helped develop a number of landmark technologies for IBM, including the color PC monitor and the first gigahertz chip. He… Read More →
Today marks the eleventh day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of James Edward Maceo West, a research professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University and member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. West… Read More →
Today marks the tenth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of poet Gwendolyn Brooks, “one of the most highly regarded, influential, and widely read poets of 20th-century American poetry. She was a much-honored poet, even in her lifetime, with the distinction… Read More →
Today marks the ninth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Madam C.J. Walker, who created specialized hair products for African American hair care and was one of the first American women to become a self-made millionaire. Our musical pairing is… Read More →
Today marks the eighth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Lewis Howard Latimer, who was responsible for many inventions, including the carbon filament in light bulbs which made electricity more efficient and cost effective. Stevie Wonder’s effervescent “You are the… Read More →
Today marks the seventh day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Joseph Lee, a caterer, baker, and restauranteur who invented two things that revolutionized the food industry and still impact our favorite party foods today. His musical inspiration comes from the… Read More →
Today marks the sixth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Granville T. Woods, a Black inventor who dedicated his life’s work to developing a variety of inventions, many relating to the railroad industry. His musical inspiration comes from the song… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Alexandre Guilmant. Alexandre Guilmant 1837-1911 Alexandre Guilmant is a French composer, organist, and teacher, and editor. The son of Jean-Baptiste Guilmant, organist of St. Nicolas, he received harmony lessons from Gustav Carulli. Devoted to the… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Hugo Distler. Hugo Distler 1908-1942 Born in Nuremberg, Germany, Hugo Distler is known mostly for his sacred choral music. He began his studies at the Leipzig Conservatory in the conducting class, with piano as his… Read More →
A pandemic didn’t stop these singers in their eighties at Trillium Woods from bringing a little joy to their lives. Together with the leadership of VocalEssence Vintage Voices artistic director Robert Graham and help from the brand new virtual choir recording platform SongAlong, these singers created a mini choir concert! After 10 weeks of Zoom… Read More →
As we close out the most challenging year in our 52 year history, we are hearing some shining stories of resilience and moments of joy. Liza and Jim Ervin are singers in the VocalEssence Vintage Voices choir at Trillium Woods. It was December 2015 when they moved to the Twin Cities from Connecticut. Fortunately, friends… Read More →
Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III shared their experience recording the Welcome Christmas concert this year in partnership with Twin Cities PBS (TPT). It took more than $75,000 to fund this partnership with TPT, and to date we have raised $64,506! If you are interested in continuing to support the… Read More →
Rightfully Hers Preview Buy Stream Now in the press Classical Minnesota Public Radio interview with John Birge, actor Sally Wingert, and composer Jocelyn Hagen: https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2020/10/15/vocalessence-rightfully-hers Concert Program Learn More about the 19th Amendment Centennial There are so many wonderful resources to learn more about the 19th Amendment Centennial! Below are a few of our… Read More →
Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III have been busy preparing for a safe and innovative 52nd season of VocalEssence. Online and physically distanced rehearsals have begun with VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers and will begin soon for our youth choir VocalEssence Singers Of This Age. Philip Brunelle has begun releasing… Read More →
