There are a lot of exciting opportunities in store for the VocalEssence Vintage Voices singers during the 2019-2020 season! Rehearsals have kicked off for the Park Singers at Parkshore Senior Community in Saint Louis Park, where 40 participating singers are working together to prepare a concert of folk songs, spirituals, doo wop, Broadway hits, and… Read More →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE SAYS ‘GOD JUL!’ TO ALL AS CHRISTMAS CONCERTS GO NORDIC Carols from Sweden, Finland, and Norway star in this year’s Welcome Christmas program, including a world premiere from Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen MINNEAPOLIS — July 30, 2019 — The Welcome Christmas concerts from the VocalEssence… 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 →
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 →
The custom of singing Christmas carols brings joy to the holiday season unlike any other tradition. Every December VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum celebrate this tradition in their own unique way by championing today’s composers, exploring new works, and rediscovering lesser-known works of the past. Through the Welcome Christmas Carol Contest, VocalEssence and the Forum provide composers with the… Read More →
By Pamela Espeland MinnPost FEBRUARY 28, 2019 — 08:24AM https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2019/02/vocalessence-to-present-witness-times-two-joffrey-ballet-to-perform-anna-karenina/ VocalEssence was born in 1969 as the Plymouth Church Music Series. Just another concert series at a local church, founded by an ambitious, tireless and hypercreative choir director and organist named Philip Brunelle. In 2002, the Plymouth Music Series became VocalEssence. Today, Brunelle and his singers are… Read More →
By Ross Raihala | rraihala@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press February 25, 2019 at 7:00 am https://www.twincities.com/2019/02/25/vocalessences-51st-season-includes-family-concerts-festivals-and-a-moana-singalong/ A “Moana” movie singalong, the addition of a second Witness concert and a celebration of the music of Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn are on tap for VocalEssence’s newly announced 51st season. Season tickets are on sale now. Single tickets go on sale Aug. 5.… 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 →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann Jennifer@owl-marketing.com 612-716-0556 PERFORMANCES ANNOUNCED FOR VOCALESSENCE 2019-2020 SEASON Choral and community-building organization celebrates 30 years of VocalEssence WITNESS, honoring the contributions of African Americans to the arts MINNEAPOLIS — February 25, 2020—Heading into its second half-century stronger than ever, VocalEssence is ready to reveal the program for its… Read More →
Thank you to the 275 people who took the Welcome Christmas 2018 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. 23% of attendees were attending their very first VocalEssence concert, and 32% of respondents attended VocalEssence concerts… Read More →
By Deb Mazzacco Pioneer Press January 18, 2019—5:24 pm https://www.twincities.com/2019/01/18/martin-luther-king-jr-day-events-2019/ Here’s a roundup of Minneapolis and St. Paul events Saturday, Sunday and Monday commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. SATURDAY, JAN. 19-MONDAY, JAN. 21 St. Paul: MLK Weekend at the Minnesota History Center. Family art activities, service projects, performances, closing of “The 1968 Exhibit,” noon to 3 p.m.… Read More →
By Pamela Espeland January 17, 2019: https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2019/01/mlk-celebrations-and-concerts-mr-poppers-penguins-at-childrens-theatre/ Monday is Martin Luther King Day, and the weekend will light up with celebrations of his life. Tuesday this week would have been his 89th birthday. Imagine if he had lived past 39. Although it’s not billed specifically as an MLK event, VocalEssence’s annual “Together We Sing” festival on Saturday (Jan.… Read More →
Let’s fill the hall! Orchestra Hall, that is. 4,245 students are slated to attend the VocalEssence WITNESS Young People’s Concerts this February, and celebrate the amazing African and African American women who change our world for the better! But here’s the catch… The cost of the VocalEssence WITNESS program and Young People’s Concerts is $28.50… Read More →
By Pamela Espeland | December 7, 2018: https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2018/12/arts-accessibility-nonprofit-to-close-in-2019-vocalessences-welcome-christmas-2018/ The picks Friday through Sunday: VocalEssence: Welcome Christmas 2018. For many Minnesotans, VocalEssence’s annual holiday concert is a beloved tradition. But there’s never been a Welcome Christmas concert like this. Along with a world premiere by composer Nico Muhly – Philip Glass’ former assistant, now one of the most sought-after composers… Read More →
byAlaina Rooke | December 5, 2018: https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_post/community/a-measured-breath-but-no-rest-for-golden-valley-music/article_74816f46-f75e-11e8-9af1-b771ceaf37f4.html Top Minnesota choir director and longtime resident Philip Brunelle looks to 50th year “One of my mottos is you don’t know if you don’t ask,” explained Philip Brunelle of attracting top guest talent to VocalEssence, a premier choral organization he founded in 1969. “You have a 50-percent chance of… Read More →
