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VOCALESSENCE OPENS 57th SEASON WITH SAROJINI
South Indian traditions shine in new work from Minnesota’s own Shruthi Rajasekar at Ted Mann Concert Hall–Oct 25

MINNEAPOLIS—August 15, 2025—VocalEssence will open its 57th season on October 25 with Sarojini, a work fusing Western classical with South Indian Carnatic music, at Ted Mann Concert Hall.

High resolution images are available here.

“We’re so proud to present the North American premiere of absolutely thrilling music from Shruthi Rajasekar, a young composer from Minnesota whose talent we were lucky to have a role in nurturing,” said Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence founder and artistic director. “VocalEssence is on a mission to keep choral music vibrant and vital; eight years ago, Shruthi participated in VocalEssence ReMix, a one-on-one choral composer mentorship program for emerging Minnesota composers. With Sarojini, she returns to us with a spectacular piece that shows how exciting and surprising choral music can be.”

Sarojini will feature two world-renowned performers of South Indian Carnatic music: Nirmala Rajasekar (composer Shruthi’s mother) on both veena, a stringed instrument, and voice; and Thanjavur K. Murgaboopathi on mridangam, a traditional drum. In addition, the concert features the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers with Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz, III conducting. The Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra conducted by Steven Amundson, will join the performance. The orchestra, with their focus on performing premieres as well as their mission to perform outstanding symphony concerts for diverse audiences throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area, makes for a natural fit as a performance partner.

Shruthi Rajasekar’s text pulls themes from the life and words of Sarojini Naidu, the venerated Indian poet, who was born into a country oppressed by colonial rule and eventually became the first female governor of an Indian province after decades of fighting for the rights of women and the cause of Indian independence. Sarojini invites audiences to immerse themselves in a soundscape that tells the story of India’s fight for independence from the British Empire.

Sarojini will be performed on October 25, 2025, from 4 pm to 6 pm, at Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 Fourth Street South, Minneapolis. Individual tickets are $25 to $45. Tickets are available here.

VocalEssence, the choral organization Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones says “sings magnificently,” provides opportunities that draw upon the power of singing together to nurture community, inspire creativity, affirm the value of all persons, and expand the impact of choral music. VocalEssence was founded in 1969 and through its performance series has debuted more than 300 commissions and world premieres. VocalEssence Learning & Engagement programs help people of all ages bridge, create, and learn across cultures by connecting them with renowned choral experts to provide exceptional role models, grow community self-esteem, self-expression, and engagement. For more information, visit www.vocalessence.org.

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