Philip Brunelle: Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle is in the midst of a “planning month” as he prepares for the upcoming 53rd season—lots of meetings with composers, artists, and finalizing the season announcement for each of you! The final Plymouth Summer Concert occurred on July 20 when Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele gave us their… Read More →
Philip Brunelle: Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle is working on creating a digital library of all the composers featured on Musical Moments with the help of intern Blake Wieseler from St. Olaf College. Since Musical Moments began in March of 2020, almost 300 composers who have been central to the success of VocalEssence have… Read More →
Affirming and amplifying Black Lives Join 12 Twin Cities Choral organizations as we share our voices to promote healing, invite dialogue, and call us into action. The concert, curated and led by G. Phillip Shoultz III, Associate Conductor and Director of Learning and Engagement at VocalEssence, featuring Joe Davis and The New Renaissance, Jayanthi Rajasa,…
By Pamela Espeland MinnPost | May 12, 2021 Guthrie to start presenting plays in October; the weekend’s hybrid Art-A-Whirl Guthrie to start presenting plays in October; the weekend’s hybrid Art-A-Whirl ALSO: VocalEssence’s “Witness 2021” concert to livestream; Collide Theatrical Dance Company presents “Wonderland”; and more. On Thursday, July 8, the Guthrie, including the Amber Box on… Read More →
GPS highlights the life and legacy of Sojourner Truth for this Sunday edition of Take 5. In addition, we take a look at the traditional Negro spiritual, “Plenty Good Room.” Learn More https://sojournertruthmemorial.org/sojourner-truth/her-history/ https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sojourner-truth https://www.nps.gov/people/sojourner-truth.htm https://www.nps.gov/articles/sojourner-truth.htm?fbclid=IwAR3AMCWZhp8tbIx8mjKWkza0pHyzVthADFVhfwRogfSv5QjGR_U6mrCeq0M Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and produce. Consider sponsoring a day or… Read More →
For this Saturday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the artistic and administrative accomplishments of dancer, Judith Jamison, and also shares a terrific Duke Ellington standard, “I’m Beginning to See the Light.” Learn More https://www.alvinailey.org/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater/judith-jamison http://pressroom.alvinailey.org/album?c=25045&t=video&p=24&s=order https://www.ted.com/speakers/judith_jamison Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and produce. Consider sponsoring a day… Read More →
It’s Friday, and what better way to celebrate the end of another week than a little bit of singing? Join GPS as he sends us off into the weekend and shares a little about author Zora Neale Hurston. Our musical pairing is “In the Still of the Night,” by Fred Parris as performed by Fred… Read More →
On today’s edition of Take 5, GPS celebrates acclaimed printmaker and sculptor, Elizabeth Catlett, whose work reflects her interest in African art and social issues in the United States and Mexico. Our musical pairing is “I’ll Come Back To You,” as performed by Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers. Learn More https://www.elizabethcatlettart.com/bio https://nmwa.org/art/artists/elizabeth-catlett/ https://philamuseum.org/calendar/exhibition/artist-focus-elizabeth-catlett https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/elizabeth-catlett-41… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Susan LaBarr. Susan LaBarr b. 1981 Susan LaBarr is a leading American 21st-century choral composer. She attended Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master… Read More →
It’s Wednesday and GPS is getting ready for another Wednesday edition of Take 5. Today he’ll be sharing about Wilma Rudolph, the first woman to win 3 gold medals at the Olympic Games. Our musical pairing is “Git On Board, Little Children,” a traditional Negro Spiritual. Learn More https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/wilma-rudolph https://www.biography.com/athlete/wilma-rudolph https://usopm.org/wilma-rudolph/ Sponsor Black Excellence Each… Read More →
On this Tuesday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the contributions of Ann Lowe, first African American to be recognized as a fashion designer. Lowe’s one-of-a-kind designs were a favorite among high society matrons from the 1920s to the 1960s. Our musical pairing is “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.… Read More →
On this Sunday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the contributions of Dorothy Irene Height, whose organizational and operational skills were unmatched leading to her prominent role in the movement for Civil Rights and her opportunities to consult with US Presidents and First Ladies. We revisit the Black church for our musical inspiration as we… Read More →
Today, GPS highlights the trailblazing career of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, whose work as an activist and scholar paved the way for many woman that have followed her in public service. We revisit the inspirational and well-known Ben E. King song, “Stand By Me” for our musical inspiration. Learn More https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/16031 https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/barbara-jordan https://www.kff.org/about-barbara-jordan/ Sponsor Black Excellence… Read More →
We kick off our weekend with inspiration, song, and a time to recognize the contributions of Althea Gibson, a professional athlete who broke racial barriers in a variety of ways. The Supremes and “Got You Back in My Arms Again” will provide our musical inspiration. Learn More https://www.biography.com/athlete/althea-gibson https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/26/sports/tennis/althea-gibson-statue-us-open.html https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014035.html https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/althea-gibson-is-first-african-american-to-win-wimbledon Sponsor Black Excellence Each… Read More →
Join GPS for another Thursday edition of Take 5 as he shares about pilot Bessie Coleman, 1st African American woman and first Native American to hold a pilot’s license. Our musical pairing is “Baby I Need Your Lovin’,” by Brian and Edward Holland Jr., Lamont Dozier, as performed by the Four Tops. Learn More https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/bessie-coleman… Read More →
