In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Arthur Honegger. Arthur Honegger 1892-1955 Arthur Honegger was born to Swiss parents, but spent much of his life composing in Paris. As a child, he studied violin and harmony privately in Le Havre and spent… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Moses Hogan. Moses Hogan 1957-2003 Moses Hogan was a leading arranger of African-American spirituals, as well as a talented pianist and conductor. Beginning at an early age, Hogan studied piano and was immersed in… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer William Byrd. William Byrd 1543-1623 As the foremost English composer of the Renaissance, William Byrd made significant contributions to nearly every existing genre and influenced generations of younger composers. From 1563 to 1572, Byrd served… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer C. Hubert H. Parry. Philip is joined by mezzo-soprano Lisa Drew. C. Hubert H. Parry 1848-1918 Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry was a highly influential British scholar, teacher, and composer. He was raised at Highnam… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Edvard Grieg. He is joined by soprano Liv Redpath. Edvard Grieg 1843-1907 Edvard Grieg was a beloved Norwegian composer, pianist, and conductor. He began taking piano lessons at age six from his talented mother and… Read More →
FAMILY: Voices Calling Concert Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle – May 29, 2020 – Florence Price Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle – May 28, 2020 – Hector Berlioz Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle – May 27, 2020 – Nathaniel Dett Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle – May 26, 2020 – Gerald Finzi Musical Moments with… Read More →
When the “shelter at home” paradigm began back in March, VESOTA sprang into action with their “Sounds Of Hope” videos, spreading compassion through individual performances on social media when we could not do so together. Since then, they have been engaged in a project we’re calling Creative Connections. Creative Connections was developed by VESOTA’s leadership… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Hector Berlioz. Hector Berlioz 1803-1869 During his lifetime, the music of the innovative French conductor and composer Hector Berlioz was highly controversial. The son of a doctor, Berlioz defied his parents’ wishes for him to… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel. This episode features two guest performers: soprano Maria Jette and VocalEssence’s pianist Mary Jo Gothmann. Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel 1805-1847 During her lifetime, German composer Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel was not nearly as well-known as her brother,… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Felix Mendelssohn. Felix Mendelssohn 1809-1847 German composer Felix Mendelssohn was one of the most prominent composers and conductors during his lifetime. His father facilitated a well-rounded education for Felix and his siblings, which included a… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Gabriel Fauré. Gabriel Fauré 1845-1924 As one of the leading French composers of the late nineteenth- and early twentieth-centuries, Gabriel Fauré played an integral role in the development of French music. Outside of his work… Read More →
Ballet dancers, jazz musicians, the Minnesota Orchestra, VocalEssence—they’re keeping us entertained and themselves in good shape By Erik Tormoen https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/arts-entertainment/feeling-fine-with-the-fine-arts-6-ways-to-enjoy-online/ G. Phillip Shoultz III, conductor of the Twin Cities’ VocalEssence choral ensemble, sits at a piano, belting Ella Fitzgerald’s “Blue Skies,” livestreaming from his home—because it’s another morning of self-quarantine, and this is what he’s doing… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Undine Smith Moore. Undine Smith Moore 1904-1989 American composer Undine Smith Moore composed in a variety of different forms and genres, but is best known for her arrangements of spirituals and other choral compositions and… Read More →
Who is your inspiration? On February 24, 3,462 students from 34 schools will hear our radically diverse youth choir VocalEssence Singers Of This Age at the WITNESS Young People’s Concerts. But here is the catch… In order to make the concerts possible for all, we need to raise $25 per student. Sponsor a seat (or two)… Read More →
