“Shout for joy!” Back by popular demand, the Bach Society of Minnesota and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers renew their collaboration to tell one of the greatest musical Christmas stories of all time. Hear three cantatas from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio as well as cantata 147, beloved for its setting of the tune “Jesu, Joy…
For 55 years, Philip Brunelle has been at the helm of VocalEssence, and now he is celebrating another milestone—his 80th Birthday—with no plans of slowing down! In honor of this monumental occasion, we will perform some of Philip’s favorite works from the past 55 years. Join us as we go down memory lane, rediscovering music…
“INSPIRED”—was the word used most frequently by patrons to describe their engagement with VocalEssence during the 2021-2022 season. Inspiration was at the center of everything we did this year: Our Chorus and Ensemble Singers were inspired to return to singing in person at venues ranging from Orchestra Hall to the Historic Holmes Theatre in Detroit…
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Jeff Wheeler Instagram and Star Tribune Metro Section | March 4, 2022 Members of The Aeolians, including Laila Darville, center, sang during rehearsal with the VocalEssence Chorus and VocalEssence Singers of This Age, a choir made up of Twin Cities high school kids Tuesday night at Orchestra Hall ahead of their concert this Sunday… Read More →
G. Phillip Shoultz, III, VocalEssence associate artistic director, was featured on The Pride of Black Excellence by WCCO’s Jearlyn Steele on February 27,2022 to talk about VocalEssence WITNESS: Rejoice!. Check out the interview below. https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/jearlyn-steele-152/the-pride-of-black-excellence-1276257298
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In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Aaron Jay Kernis. Aaron Jay Kernis b. 1960 Pulitzer Prize and Grammy-Award-winning composer Aaron Jay Kernis is among the most esteemed musical figures of his generation. He began his musical studies on the violin; at… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Melanie DeMore. Melanie DeMore b. Prolific African-American composer Melanie DeMore was born in the Bronx, raised in Anchorage, and moved to San Antonio to complete her schooling. “Getting off,” as DeMore calls it, on… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Bobby McFerrin. Bobby McFerrin b. 1950 American composer and vocalist Bobby McFerrin is perhaps best-known for his piece, Don’t Worry, Be Happy. Born in Manhattan, Bobby came from a family of singers: Bobby’s father, the… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Charles Wood. Charles Wood 1866-1926 Charles Wood was an Irish composer and teacher primarily remembered and performed as an Anglican church music composer. Wood received his early education at the Cathedral Choir School in Dublin… Read More →
