The VocalEssence WITNESS School Program is an exciting opportunity for Minnesota students and teachers to learn more about the contributions African Americans have made, and are making, to the fine arts and to our shared cultural heritage. Register for the 2026-2027 VocalEssence WITNESS School Program today! The 10 AM WITNESS YPC performance is now full, but…
FEATURING: VocalEssence Chorus VocalEssence Ensemble Singers VocalEssence Singers Of This Age VocalEssence Vintage Voices Symphony Orchestra Chloe Johnson, soloist Philip Brunelle, conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor
VocalEssence is thrilled to announce the addition of five new members to its Board of Directors. The VocalEssence Board of Directors serve as ambassadors for the organization in the larger community. They also guide VocalEssence in all major policy decisions while ensuring the financial stability of the 57-year-old nonprofit. “I’m delighted to welcome our new…
Anita Ruth has been a VocalEssence Teaching Artist for more than 20 years. She shared the story of how it all began as well as a favorite memory of hers from her time working in schools for the VocalEssence WITNESS School Program. While doing a show at Ruby’s Cabaret in downtown Minneapolis some thirty years…
2022-2023 WITNESS Resources Thank you for being a WITNESS Partner School! Enjoy these free resources funded by institutions and individual donors. Scroll down to view a variety of resources created by curriculum writer Joanna Cortright and the VocalEssence Learning and Engagement team staff. We hope you and your students will use and learn from these…
2025-2026 WITNESS Resources Thank you for being a WITNESS Partner School! Enjoy these free resources funded by institutions and individual donors. Scroll down to view a variety of resources created by the VocalEssence Learning and Engagement team staff. We hope you and your students will use and learn from these throughout the school year. Emma…
2024-2025 WITNESS Resources Thank you for being a WITNESS Partner School! Enjoy these free resources funded by institutions and individual donors. Scroll down to view a variety of resources created by the VocalEssence Learning and Engagement team staff. We hope you and your students will use and learn from these throughout the school year. Emma…
Dear Friends of VocalEssence, With immense joy and gratitude, we share with you the 2023-2024 Annual Report for VocalEssence. This past year has been one of transformative growth, artistic innovation, and deep community impact. As we celebrate these accomplishments, we also look ahead with great anticipation to what’s next. Our commitment to using music as…
FEATURING: One Accord Dance Collective Suzette Gilreath Anaje Colquitt and Aurora Silpala, storytellers Audrey Lane-Getaz, soloist VocalEssence Chorus VocalEssence Singers Of This Age VocalEssence Vintage Voices Casey Rafn, piano WITNESS Trio G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor
Watch our teaching artists sing the Freedom Song, “We Shall Not Be Moved”. This is one of four songs being sung at the Young People’s Concert on February 21, 2025. Sing along with us! https://vimeo.com/1029665031?share=copy
The VocalEssence WITNESS School Program is an exciting opportunity for Minnesota students and teachers to learn more about the contributions African Americans have made, and are making, to the fine arts and to our shared cultural heritage. Register for the 2025-2026 VocalEssence WITNESS School Program today! Good news: there’s still space at the 12:45 PM concert! Don’t…
FEATURING: Melanie DeMore, guest artist VocalEssence Chorus VocalEssence Ensemble Singers VocalEssence Singers Of This Age VocalEssence Vintage Voices Casey Rafn, piano Philip Brunelle, conductor G . Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor
In 2022-2023 VocalEssence completed an extended strategic planning process that included revised mission, vision, and values statements and new strategic imperatives to achieve the impact we wish to have in society. VocalEssence celebrates singing as an essential human expression. Artistic quality, passion for singing together, and reputation for engaging people are hallmarks of our impact.…
FEATURING: Moira Smiley, guest artist VocalEssence Chorus VocalEssence Ensemble Singers VocalEssence Singers Of This Age Sonja Thompson, piano Philip Brunelle, conductor G . Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor
VocalEssence celebrates singing as an essential human expression. Artistic quality, passion for singing together, and reputation for engaging people are hallmarks of our impact. As our community changes, we have developed this strategic plan to address our future in three key areas, keeping singing together at the center of our work.
