Two Performances Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 7:30 PM Northrop 84 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 4 PM Northrop 84 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN VocalEssence is pulling out all the stops to ring in the season of wonder. Hear beloved carols you know and love featuring the joyous sounds of brass…
There are times where it is difficult to know how to respond to tragedy. On the evening of Ash Wednesday, composer John Rutter heard Valentin Silvestrov’s choral setting of the following text, “Good Lord, protect Ukraine. Give her strength, courage, faith, hope. Amen.” He decided to use his talents to compose his own setting of… Read More →
Ian Kellam | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle Olivier Messiaen | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle John Gardner | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle VocalEssence & Nation – “Hands” 4/27/2019 Gabriel Fauré | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle Sydney Guillaume | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle Daniel Kantor | Musical Moments with Philip… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Paul Manz. Paul Manz 1919-2009 Composer and organist Paul Manz is known for his widely-admired motet “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come” and for the hymn festivals he organized and led. Manz attended Concordia River… Read More →
Artistic Director Philip Brunelle just returned from England meeting with John Rutter, Sir Stephen Cleobury (just knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours), Simon Halsey and Katie Rowan—the person helping us with the U.S. premiere in October of Ina Boyle’s music. He and his wife Carolyn also enjoyed a week’s vacation in Wales and on the… Read More →
For Artistic Director Philip Brunelle, the end of the concert season with our Bob Dylan tribute was a festive conclusion to season 50! Now we are in the midst of finalizing plans for season 51 and beyond. The month of May is also filled with auditions – about 50 hours’ worth. Each year those in… Read More →
By Terry Blain | Special to the Star Tribune November 30, 2018 — 2:52PM: http://www.startribune.com/10-best-concerts-to-mark-the-holidays-in-choir-crazed-minnesota/501646651/ With so many Minnesota choirs, it can be difficult selecting the perfect concert. Here are 10 great options for the holidays. Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but music lovers have floated a new state motto: Land of 10,000… Read More →
By Rob Hubbard November 24, 2018—9:00AM | UPDATED: November 28, 2018—12:28PM: https://www.twincities.com/2018/11/24/holidays-have-plenty-of-sweets-sweet-vocal-harmonies-that-is/ If Yuletide carols being sung by a choir sounds like your ideal holiday elixir, then this is the December for you in the Twin Cities. Vocal harmonies abound, as all of our best groups have their own concerts … and a couple of them hook up… Read More →
Since 1973, when the first commission by VocalEssence led Dominick Argento to compose Jonah and the Whale, the organization has ardently supported new music. More than 300 commissions later, VocalEssence Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle explains how commissioning works. Why does VocalEssence commission so much original work? Just as we don’t want to lose sight of the composers… Read More →
By Terry Blain Special to the Star Tribune APRIL 19, 2018 — 11:49AM http://www.startribune.com/choral-legend-lands-in-minnesota-with-music-composed-especially-for-vocalessence/480270893/ Englishman John Rutter is a phenomenon in the world of choral music, celebrated worldwide for the easy melodiousness of his music — and the joy it brings to those who sing it. His Minnesota connections date back more than three decades, to… Read More →
Spring holds so many incredible musical moments for the VocalEssence team, with new and old voices joining in! Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III and his family are delighted to announce they welcomed a new member—Lydia Grace. Born on Wednesday, March 21 at 7:13 am, Lydia joins brother Malachi (4). Check out the VocalEssence Facebook… Read More →
Our conductors had a great time with VocalEssence WITNESS: Of Such I Dream and the debut of the new youth choir, VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (SOTA). But there’s always another adventure around the corner for Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Philip Brunelle will be escaping to warmer quarters… Read More →
Need to cross a few more names off your holiday list? VocalEssence has concert tickets sure to thrill the music lovers in your life—after all, experiences make the best gifts! More options: Give the gift of music with a recording of recent performances, or honor your loved one by sponsoring a student seat in their… Read More →
Philip Brunelle, Artistic Director & Founder July and August have definitely been ‘music months’ for me. July began with many planning meetings for the coming season and the first week concluded with an amazing patriotic event at the Anoka airport with 24 VocalEssence singers and 5000 motorcyclists and their motorcycles! Then off to Barcelona for the… Read More →
CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE ANNOUNCES LINEUP FOR EXTRAORDINARY 49TH YEAR Stellar artistic performances, unique educational programming, and enriching community engagement on track for Twin Cities choral organization’s 2017-2018 season MINNEAPOLIS—APRIL 24, 2017—Nationally renowned choral organization VocalEssence today announces its 49th season. The 2017-2018 season will give VocalEssence opportunities to further extend its reach… Read More →
