By Rob Hubbard Special to the Pioneer Press, 03/04/2011 Andre Thomas is an inspiring man. He’s devoted his career to teaching young Americans not only how to sing traditional African-American spirituals,…  Read More →

From the Appleton (WI) Post-Cresent: …Thence to Minneapolis, where Philip Brunelle’s VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus recorded “Behold This Heavenly Light.”  Fully fourteen of the twenty tracks are world premiere…  Read More →

VocalEssence and The Singers each present multiple concerts featuring old and new holiday songs. By WILLIAM RANDALL BEARD, Special to the Star Tribune This time of year brings an abundance…  Read More →

International Alliance for Women in Music Journal, Volume 15, No. 1, 2009 by Joan Devee Dixon, Chair of Music Department, Frostburg State University, Maryland 05/09 In the realm of twentieth…  Read More →

When two choirs converge, you never know what you’ll get. Will it be a fine fit or a clash of sounds and styles? And then there’s the conductor question: Who…  Read More →

By David Hawley, Special to the Pioneer Press 10/25/2009       VocalEssence promoted the appearance of choral-conducting star Simon Halsey as a “British Invasion,” and the performance Saturday at the…  Read More →

By Rob Hubbard Special to the Pioneer Press, 9/25/2009 Composer Dominick Argento has gained his greatest acclaim by adapting the words of literary giants to music. Virginia Woolf’s diary led…  Read More →

By William Randall Beard Special to the Star Tribune Ironically, the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers were almost inconspicuous during the finale of their 40th-anniversary concert season, "Everybody Sing!" heard…  Read More →

By Rob Hubbard Special to the Pioneer Press Minnesota is choral country. The state is overflowing with so many talented choirs that it would take years for the average music…  Read More →

By Rob Hubbard Special to the Pioneer Press Posted: 03/23/2009 12:01:00 AM CDT Teenagers are shouting from the balconies. The sellout crowd is on its feet, roaring its approval. The…  Read More →

By Rob Hubbard Special to the Pioneer Press Updated: 12/08/2008 The latest thing: That’s what you’ll find on many a wish list when it comes to Christmas presents. But when…  Read More →

By David Hawley Special to the Pioneer Press Article Last Updated: 11/16/2008 08:13:35 PM CST Of all the expectations for a musical work about the Holocaust, triumphant joy may not…  Read More →

By David Hawley Special to the Pioneer Press – Link to the full article at twincities.com Article Last Updated: 09/14/2008 11:12:26 PM CDT VocalEssence kicked off its 40th season Sunday…  Read More →

Lesser-known works give a more complete view of the famed composer’s wide-ranging talent. By WILLIAM RANDALL BEARD, Special to the Star Tribune For 18 years, VocalEssence’s annual Witness concerts have…  Read More →

By Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press Fresh or familiar? How do you like your holiday arts offerings? Do you prefer to wrap yourself in a warm, comfortable collection of memories or…  Read More →