Star Tribune: VocalEssence brings Scandinavia to Stillwater
“Welcome Christmas 2014,” the annual concert series presented by the Minneapolis-based choral ensemble Vocal- Essence, will include a performance at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, 115 4th St N. It takes place at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 6.
The VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers — accompanied by fiddler Sara Pajunen and narrator Katherine Ferrand — will feature carols and musical holiday traditions from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland in Stillwater and at performances in Apple Valley, Minneapolis and Edina.

“Welcome Christmas 2014,” the popular annual concert series presented by Minneapolis-based choral ensemble VocalEssence, will include a performance at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, 115 4th St N. It takes place at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 6
The program will also feature the premiere of British composer Alan Bullard’s Christmas cantata “A Light in the Stable” as well as the new carol winners of the organization’s 17th annual Welcome Christmas Carol Contest.
“Welcome Christmas is one of our favorites because it’s like traveling — we’re constantly immersing ourselves in a new culture. This year, we’re excited to be exploring diverse Nordic traditions and premiering Alan Bullard’s new cantata filled with favorite carols for the audience to sing,” said Philip Brunelle, founder and artistic director of VocalEssence.
Tickets for the Welcome Christmas 2014 concerts are available for $10 and up; youth ages 6-18 and students with a valid college ID are eligible for half-price tickets. For more information about this concert and to purchase tickets, call 612-371-5656 or visit www.vocalessence.org.