Philip Brunelle: Summer has arrived and the level of activity at VocalEssence has not diminished for Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle! All the planning for season 54 continues and is very exciting! A 5 year project has been completed and Philip is very pleased to announce that the two volume set of Stephen Paulus…
Philip Brunelle: With the conclusion of VocalEssence 53rd season and the completion of auditions for season 54, Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle will be working on plans for the coming season as well as time to “attack” the filing of music and correspondence that awaits him! He is very pleased that this month his… Read More →
by Steve Marsh Mpls.St.Paul Magazine | May 7, 2022 https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/police-drummer-stewart-copeland-vocalessence/ The Police drummer Stewart Copeland is in St. Paul this weekend for the regional premiere of his new chorale piece inspired by Paradise Lost. Courtesy of Shayne Gray Stewart Copeland is in St. Paul this weekend to debut his new chorale piece Satan’s Fall, sung by the vaunted VocalEssence… Read More →
By Ross Raihala | rraihala@pioneerpress.com Pioneer Press | May 5, 2022 https://www.twincities.com/2022/05/05/police-drummer-stewart-copeland-vocalessence-satans-fall-concert/ Stewart Copeland is best known as the drummer in the Police. (He’s also known as the guy who broke lead singer Sting’s rib in a band-related fight.) But the 69-year-old didn’t stop making music when the Police called it a day in 1986. Instead, he focused… Read More →
Jamie Chamberlain, soprano Praised for her “shimmering tones” and “star struck vulnerability” by Opera News, Greek-American Soprano Jamie Chamberlin is recognized for her versatility as both a singer and as an actress. ArtsInLA hailed her role debut as Cunegonde in Long Beach Operaʼs Candide as “jawdropping”. Most recently at LBO, Ms. Chamberlin earned rave reviews for her…
By Rob Hubbard Star Tribune | March 29, 2022 https://www.startribune.com/vocalessence-revisits-dylan-classics/600160297/ The choral group will perform the bard’s songs in Detroit Lakes Friday, Grand Rapids Saturday and Red Wing April 30. VOCALESSENCE VocalEssence’s “Bob Dylan Revisited” Tour will include the choir, accompanied by a string quintet and piano. Well, if you’re traveling in the north country… Read More →
So many thoughts fill my mind thinking of dear Sigrid, affectionately known to all singers as “Ears Johnson” for she truly had the most amazing way of discerning the sound of each individual voice. For 24 years at VocalEssence she was my colleague, my musical conscience, a joyful supporter for a great realm of music,…
Jeff Wheeler Instagram and Star Tribune Metro Section | March 4, 2022 Members of The Aeolians, including Laila Darville, center, sang during rehearsal with the VocalEssence Chorus and VocalEssence Singers of This Age, a choir made up of Twin Cities high school kids Tuesday night at Orchestra Hall ahead of their concert this Sunday… Read More →
By Star Tribune Staff Star Tribune | March 4, 2022 https://www.startribune.com/our-friday-best-minnesota-dance-theatre-turns-60-dua-lipa-waitress-and-a-fairy-tale-for-adults/600152411/ Critics’ picks for entertainment in the week ahead. CAROLINE YANG Minnesota Dance Theatre premiered “Chichester Psalms” with VocalEssence last fall at Orchestra Hall. Dua Lipa After collecting the Grammy for best new artist in 2019, the British pop star backed up the accolades with… Read More →
By Rob Hubbard Special to the Star Tribune | December 23, 2021 https://www.startribune.com/performers-pivoted-and-voices-rose-sounding-notes-of-optimism-on-the-classical-scene/600129797/ KYNDELL HARKNESS, STAR TRIBUNE G. Phillip Shoultz III led a rehearsal for the “Voices Rising” concert. 1. “Voices Rising: A Choral Affirmation of Black Lives,” June 16: VocalEssence’s G. Phillip Shoultz III led singers from 12 Twin Cities choirs in a powerful program of new… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Abbie Betinis. Abbie Betinis b. 1980 The music of Abbie Betinis has been heard in some of the finest concert halls in the United States, and is enjoying growing acclaim abroad. Praised for its melodic… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer T. Tertius Noble. T. Tertius Noble 1867-1953 Organist and composer Thomas Tertius Noble is better known today as a composer, although in his time he achieved greater eminence as a performing artist. Trained first… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Dan Locklair. Dan Locklair b. 1949 Dan Locklair is an American composer whose prolific output includes symphonic works, a ballet, an opera, and numerous solo, chamber, vocal, and choral compositions. He holds a Master of… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Larry Farrow. Larry Farrow b. Larry Farrow is an American composer, arranger, producer, conductor and keyboardist, clinician, and teacher known for his compositions rooted in the southern gospel tradition. He began taking lessons on the… Read More →
By Star Tribune staff Star Tribune | OCTOBER 14, 2021 https://www.startribune.com/our-friday-best-james-sewell-ballet-rodrigo-y-gabriela-kosher-grocers-and-more/600106488/ Critics’ picks for Twin Cities entertainment this weekend and beyond. Photographer: Jim Mimna Rodrigo y Gabriela James Sewell Ballet JSB’s 30th anniversary tour was cut short last year, but the celebration is back with bells on. A program this weekend highlights favorite works from… Read More →
