Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul By: Gustav Nordqvist Peace, peace, wonderful peace, Peace to the world is given. Hush’d are the angels, so still is the night; Then in the East shone a heavenly light. Join in the chorus His praises sing! Glory to God, to the new born King. Peace, peace, wonderful peace. Peace to… Read More →
Review: VocalEssence’s performance tracks a soldier’s journey from horror to peace. By MICHAEL ANTHONY Special to the Star Tribune October 11, 2015 — 10:39pm Minneapolis composer Jake Runestad, an up and comer on the national classical scene, ties topical issues to his music. On Sunday VocalEssence performed his “Dreams of the Fallen,” which mourns military… Read More →
The VocalEssence Chorus is an exceptional group of 90 talented, committed singers from many walks of life—doctors, lawyers, nurses, educators, homemakers, business people and others—most with college-level or higher training in classical music and voice. Our 32-voice professional choir, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, is known as one of Minnesota’s most highly trained and experienced group… Read More →
A new VocalEssence program is working wonders for senior singers and their communities! Vintage Voices, which integrates the arts into the lives of older adults by creating choirs in assisted living communities and senior centers, has inspired older adults at Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood (shown above in their spring concert video), Sabathani Community Center Senior… Read More →
VocalEssence performed with the Rolling Stones on stage during their one-night-only performance June 3 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, a stop on the 15-city North American ZIP CODE Tour. VocalEssence Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor Phillip Shoultz both conducted. “It was an amazing experience,” Philip Brunelle told MPR News, when… Read More →
Jon Collins · Jun 4, 2015 Listen Story audio 3min 54sec Mick Jagger in Minneapolis Jeff Wheeler | Star Tribune via AP VocalEssence artistic director Philip Brunelle didn’t hesitate when the Rolling Stones asked if his choir would perform on the song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” at the band’s Minneapolis show. “I said,… Read More →
The VocalEssence production of The Radio Hour snagged a national debut in May on American Public Media’s YourClassical.org. Whether you missed the Midwest premiere performance in March or want to enjoy it all over again, take a look at this video of the 40-minute choral opera by composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer. The VocalEssence… Read More →
by Gianna Kordatzky March 30, 2015 Classical Music Jean Angelus Pichardo grew up just outside of Mexico City and picked up a guitar when he was eight. You will find a guitar in most Mexican homes, and Jean’s was no different. As a confident 8-year-old, he asked his music teacher at school if he could… Read More →
REVIEW: Opera by Gertrude Stein, Virgil Thomson gets delightful staging by VocalEssence, Black Label troupe. By TERRY BLAIN Special to the Star Tribune MARCH 20, 2016 — 11:24PM http://www.startribune.com/four-saints-playful-in-words-and-music/372843271/ It has no plot worth mentioning, and the silliest libretto in operatic history. That’s the naysayers’ take on Virgil Thomson’s “Four Saints in Three Acts,” which hasn’t… Read More →
Older adults are pursuing active lives, and VocalEssence is gladly adding to their options with the launch of VocalEssence Vintage Voices—an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults by fostering the creation of choirs in assisted living facilities and senior centers. With funding from the Minnesota State Arts… Read More →
Congratulations to pianist, composer, arranger and producer Sanford Moore, who received the Reatha Clark King Award on Sunday, February 8 at the VocalEssence WITNESS: Let Freedom Ring concert at Orchestra Hall and was presented with a one-of-a-kind work of art created by past WITNESS Teaching Artist Ta-Coumba Aiken. The Reatha Clark King Award for Excellence… Read More →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kud0XlhKIvo The WITNESS: Let Freedom Ring concert on Sunday, February 8, will find Orchestra Hall ringing with uplifting messages of love and peace for all humankind, brought by the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness, directed by Gary Hines, as they join with the VocalEssence Chorus in paying tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the… Read More →
Who can apply? If you are a permanent resident of Minnesota, you can apply! What do I need to submit? An online application that includes: Evidence of a musical work written for voice—one piece only Any medium is acceptable, including scores, MP3 files of a live or midi performance, or video Works DO NOT have to… Read More →
The VocalEssence Education staff led the annual WITNESS Teacher Orientation Seminar on Saturday, September 27, 2014. This was a wonderful opportunity for teachers in our partner schools to learn all they need to know about their school’s participation in the WITNESS School Program. Teachers who attended received copies of the 2014 WITNESS Teacher Resource Guide and… Read More →
VocalEssence staff positions Executive Assistant Internships at VocalEssence VocalEssence seeks talented students to work in challenging internship positions throughout the organization. Internships at VocalEssence offer meaningful learning opportunities and on-the-job experiences to those who are interested in beginning careers in performing arts management and/or arts education. Sing with VocalEssence Auditions are required to join… Read More →
