VocalEssence News
For Immediate Release
Contact: Katryn Conlin, 612-547-1459

Minneapolis (October 20, 2006) — In January 2007, VocalEssence and conductor Philip Brunelle will present Bluegrass Harmonies, a concert exploring the contrasting worlds of bluegrass and classical music in The World Beloved, a new piece by composer Carol Barnett and librettist Marisha Chamberlain. This world premiere is being composed for the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Monroe Crossing, the Midwest’s leading bluegrass and gospel quintet.

There are two performances: Friday, January 19, 2007 (8 pm) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, MN; and Saturday, January 20, 2007 (8 pm) at Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis. To order tickets, call 612-624-2345 or visit www.vocalessence.org.

This concert marks the first time VocalEssence has explored the mountain music made famous by Ralph Stanley and Bill Monroe in music written specifically for full bluegrass band and chorus. The Ensemble Singers have often appeared on A Prairie Home Companion and conductor Philip Brunelle is certainly familiar with bluegrass music — but to the best of his knowledge, no major work combining these forces has been written before.

Named in honor of the “Father of Bluegrass Music,” Monroe Crossing plays an upbeat blend of classic and modern bluegrass with airtight harmonies and banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar and string bass. They are the Upper Midwest’s only full-time professional bluegrass band and play an average of 125 shows a year at major venues and festivals.

A second important world premiere will also occur at this concert: Psalm Dances by Daniel Godfrey, a professor of musical composition at Syracuse University. The words are adapted from the Psalms by Stephen Mitchell, John Milton, David Rosenberg, John Davies and the composer himself. These texts invoke praise and joy — as well as loss, in a movement dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. This fascinating piece will feature the Ensemble Singers and eight instrumentalists.

Download high-resolution press photos from www.vocalessence.org > news & media > image & file downloads. For additional press information, contact Katryn Conlin, VocalEssence Communications Director at kconlin@vocalessence.org.

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Founded in 1969, VocalEssence explores music for voices and instruments under the enthusiastic direction of conductor Philip Brunelle.

VocalEssence
1900 Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403 USA
www.vocalessence.org