Essentially Choral Reading Session (open to the public)
Saturday, April 18, 10 am-1 pm
Sateren Auditorium in the Music Hall at Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis

No ticket is required for this free session.
Paid parking ($5) will be available in Lot L. Please follow this link for a detailed map of the college—the Music Hall is building 13: https://www.vocalessence.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/map3d.pdf

Minneapolis, MN (March 30, 2009) – VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum announce the selection of seven emerging composers to participate in the 2009 Essentially Choral reading session. The winners were chosen from a field of 82 new works written by composers living in 29 states. The public is invited to attend a working rehearsal of the composers’ new music for voices and instruments on Saturday, April 18 (10 am-1 pm) at Sateren Auditorium in the Music Hall at Augsburg College (2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis). No ticket is required for this free session.

Essentially Choral provides an opportunity for emerging composers to develop their skills in writing for choral ensemble, either a cappella or with instruments. During the weekend of April 16-18, the 32-voice professional VocalEssence Ensemble Singers (and instrumentalists, if called for) will rehearse these works-in-progress, allowing the composers the unique opportunity to hear their new music performed before it is finalized. VocalEssence Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and internationally recognized composer Steven Sametz will provide personal mentoring sessions and professional development seminars to the composers. Additionally, VocalEssence Ensemble Singer Krista J. Palmquist will offer the composers a voice class, which aims to further their skills in writing for singers.

Composers selected for the 2009 Essentially Choral program are:

• Timothy A. Berry, Waconia, MN—Unfolding Amen (a cappella)

• Matthew Brown, Los Angeles, CA—(though love be a day) (a cappella)

• Rebekah Driscoll, Brooklyn, NY—Voices of Quiet Joy (a cappella)

• Thomas Fielding, Raleigh, NC—Madrigals on Epigrams to Priapus (a cappella)

• Joni Greene, Bloomington, IN—Autumn Reflections (a cappella)

• Bill Kempe, Maplewood, MN—“Winter Chaconne” from Winter Songs (two percussionists, guitar – classical and electric, bass – acoustic and electric, synthesizer)

• Timothy Jon Tharaldson, Berthoud, CO—The Solitary Reaper (electro acoustic accompaniment on CD)

The program is co-sponsored by American Composers Forum and VocalEssence with the generous support of the Jerome Foundation and the Aaron Copland Fund for Music.

For more information about Essentially Choral, contact VocalEssence Director of Community Engagement Kimberly Meisten (612-547-1456, kmeisten@vocalessence.org). For additional press information, contact Jennifer Bauer (612-547-1459 or jbauer@vocalessence.org).

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