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“STAR OF WONDER REIMAGINED” CONCERTS WELCOME YOUNG LISTENERS
VocalEssence holiday shows for families move to Mia—Dec. 8

MINNEAPOLIS—October 23, 2018— “Concert manners” don’t apply when you’re filled with the holiday spirit, right? That’s why VocalEssence created Star of Wonder, a seasonal concert especially for families with toddlers and preschoolers. Young listeners can clap, wiggle, and sing along to holiday carols, and parents can simply enjoy sharing holiday memories…..and not worry about shushing. This year, VocalEssence is moving Star of Wonder to Mia and adding some new elements to this beloved performance.

Images are available here.

There will be two 45-minute performances, at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., in the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s Reception Hall on Saturday, December 8.  Adult tickets are $15, or $10 as part of a Family Series subscription to three Family Concert events. Up to four free tickets can be reserved for children age 0-17 with the purchase of an adult ticket for this concert and all the shows in the new Family Concert series.

“When children see mom, dad, and grandparents all singing carols, with the tunes and words memorized, they get excited and want to join in the fun, too,” says VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director Philip Brunelle.  “Songs like Jingle Bells and Silent Night stay with us forever, and I can tell you, young minds can take those lyrics and form a permanent grip on them while walking around and playing with a toy and watching an older sibling sing. At Star of Wonder, we keep them entertained and engaged—they can even work on a holiday craft to take home as a souvenir.”

“For our 50th Anniversary season, we wanted to focus more on the child’s experience,” adds Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. “We have a great new partnership with Mia, which is a perfect post-concert discovery spot for families to explore on a Saturday. And besides members of our Ensemble Singers, the concert will also feature our radically inclusive youth choir, VocalEssence Singers Of This Age. Young children really love watching older kids perform, and our teen singers will bring a fresh enthusiasm to this holiday tradition.”

The 50th Anniversary Family Series includes many events suitable for families with children. The Frozen Movie Sing-Along at the American Swedish Institute will have two performances on February 2. Tales & Tunes, featuring local children’s book author Nancy Carlson, will have two performances at Plymouth Congregational Church on March 30. And the Family Series concludes with the VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Community Concert 2019 on May 21.

VocalEssence, called “one of the irreplaceable music ensembles of our time” by Dana Gioia, past chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, impacts thousands of students, singers, and composers each year through its initiative programs, contests, and support for innovative art. VocalEssence was founded in 1969 and has debuted more than 300 commissions and 500 world premieres. For more information, visit www.vocalessence.org.

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