Minneapolis, MN (May 5, 2008) – From a field of 78 new works by composers living in 25 states plus Argentina, Brazil, and Canada, VocalEssence and American Composers Forum have chosen five composers to participate in the May 2008 Essentially Choral reading session. The public is invited to attend a working rehearsal of their new music for voices and instruments on Saturday, May 31.

Essentially Choral provides an opportunity for emerging composers to develop their skills in writing for choral ensemble, either a cappella or with instruments. The program is co-sponsored by American Composers Forum and VocalEssence with the generous support of the Jerome Foundation. The selected composers are:

Elizabeth Joan Kelly (Tallahassee, FL): Tiare Tahiti (trumpet, piano)
Jonathan Kolm (Austin, TX): On the Beach at Night (a cappella)
Matthew Van Brink (New York, NY): A Thousand Tender Passages (harp, cello)
Scott Sandersfeld (Minneapolis, MN): And Every Stone Shall Cry (a cappella)
David Mercer (Minneapolis, MN): Psalm 43 (a cappella)

From May 29 – May 31, 2008 the participants will hear their works-in-progress read (rehearsed) several times by the 32-voice VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, a professional mixed chorus, and instrumentalists, if called for. The composers will attend personal mentoring sessions with both VocalEssence Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and internationally recognized composer Daniel Godfrey. This unique opportunity is further enriched by professional development seminars led by Daniel Godfrey and Mary Ellen Childs.

Essentially Choral culminates with a public reading session on Saturday, May 31, 2008 from 10 am to 1 pm at The Music Room, SPCO Center, Third Floor (408 St. Peter Street, Saint Paul). This session is free and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend. No ticket is required.

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.