VocalEssence WITNESS Classroom Resource Hub – 2022-2023

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…

VocalEssence WITNESS Classroom Resource Hub – 2025-2026

Welcome from the LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT TEAM Thank you for registering for VocalEssence WITNESS! 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…

VocalEssence WITNESS Classroom Resource Hub – 2024-2025

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…

VocalEssence Annual Report 2023-2024

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…

VocalEssence singers holding black folders performing at Northrop with brass and percussion players conducted by G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Photo Credit: Tony Nelson Photography

WITNESS: Eyes Still On the Prize Digital Concert Program

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

We Shall Not Be Moved

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

VocalEssence WITNESS School Program

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…

Melanie DeMore, holding a pounding stick, stands in front of VocalEssence singers also holding pounding sticks. Photo Credit: Kyndell Harkness

WITNESS: Leading with Love Digital Concert Program

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

VocalEssence Annual Report 2022-2023

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.…

Moira Smiley poses holding a banjo

Singing the World Awake Digital Concert Program

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 Strategic Plan 2022-2025

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.

VocalEssence Annual Report 2021-2022

“INSPIRED”—was the word used most frequently by patrons to describe their engagement with VocalEssence during the 2021-2022 season. Inspiration was at the center of everything we did this year: Our Chorus and Ensemble Singers were inspired to return to singing in person at venues ranging from Orchestra Hall to the Historic Holmes Theatre in Detroit…

Joe Davis with an orange background, Photo Credit: Ryan Stopera

WITNESS: Reawakening Love Digital Concert Program

FEATURING: Joe Davis and The Poetic Diaspora VocalEssence Chorus VocalEssence Ensemble Singers VocalEssence Singers Of This Age VocalEssence Vintage Voices Kristianna Marks, soprano soloist Mary Jo Gothmann, piano Philip Brunelle, conductor G . Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor

WITNESS: Rejoice! Young People’s Concert

Share your Voice Would you be willing to give us some quick feedback? To tell us how we did, click one of the buttons below. Student Survey                                                                                  Teacher…