Hands holding tablet with image of many singers performing on stage

VocalEssence On Demand

Inspiration on your schedule Reawaken the joy that singing can bring to all of us—from the comfort of your home. This digital content is being offered free of charge. Please consider a donation to help us with the production costs. Click the DONATE NOW button below to support us! Make sure you’re on our email…

VocalEssence WITNESS School Program

The VocalEssence WITNESS School Program is an exciting opportunity for Minnesota students and teachers to learn more about the contributions African Americans have made, and are making, to the fine arts. 2020-2021 VocalEssence WITNESS: Will you be a Witness? Movements of Social Change Throughout history and across many cultures, music and movement, art and creative expression have all…  Read More

VocalEssence Singers Of This Age member sings into a microphone with hand outstretched

Change Sings

Two Performances Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 2 PM Capri Theater 2027 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis, MN Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 4:30 PM Capri Theater 2027 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis, MN Inspired by the work of Presidential inaugural poet, Amanda Gorman, Change Sings invites each of us to see ourselves as changemakers. Through singing, movement, spoken…

VocalEssence Chorus members holding black folders and singing with a Christmas tree decorated with lights and blue ornaments in the background

Welcome Christmas 2022

Two Performances Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 7:30 PM Northrop 84 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 4 PM Northrop 84 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN VocalEssence is pulling out all the stops to ring in the season of wonder. Hear beloved carols you know and love featuring the joyous sounds of brass…

Sabathani Vintage Voices Perform at Senior Housing Grand Opening

The members of the Sabathani Vintage Voices had the honor of performing for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening for the Sabathani Senior Housing Apartments. Click the button below to read the article featured in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Read Article

2022-2023 Season

Singing the world awake Join VocalEssence for our 2022-2023 Season as we explore the power of singing. From familiar favorites to new standards, this season is sure to reawaken the joy that singing brings to all of us. Hear the centuries-old Montserrat Boy Choir from Spain in concert in the Midwest for the first time,…

Singers posing on stage

Choosing Love Concert Program

The Program  VocalEssence Singers Of This Age G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor, piano Sam Reeves, keyboard Brian Kendrick, drums Choosing Love is a collaboratively curated concert experience developed through a season of continuous learning and conversation. The VocalEssence Singers Of This Age challenge us to grapple with the past and present injustices plaguing our society…

Satan falling with clouds and beams of light

Satan’s Fall Biographies

Jamie Chamberlain, soprano Praised for her “shimmering tones” and “star­ struck vulnerability” by Opera News, Greek-­American Soprano Jamie Chamberlin is recognized for her versatility as both a singer and as an actress. ArtsInLA hailed her role debut as Cunegonde in Long Beach Operaʼs Candide as “jaw­dropping”. Most recently at LBO, Ms. Chamberlin earned rave reviews for her…

In loving memory of Sigrid Johnson (1952—2022)

So many thoughts fill my mind thinking of dear Sigrid, affectionately known to all singers as “Ears Johnson” for she truly had the most amazing way of discerning the sound of each individual voice. For 24 years at VocalEssence she was my colleague, my musical conscience, a joyful supporter for a great realm of music,…

Azure Anderson

Executive Assistant phone 612-547-1472 azure@vocalessence.org Azure Anderson joined the VocalEssence team in October 2021 as the Executive Assistant. Azure provides direct administrative support to VocalEssence leadership, facilitating the success of the artistic and administrative goals of the organization. She works with the Artistic Director, Associate Artistic Director, and Executive Director to ensure effective organization wide operation.…  Read More

WITNESS: Rejoice! Young People’s Concert

Share your Voice Would you be willing to give us some quick feedback? To tell us how we did, click one of the buttons below. Student Survey                                                                                  Teacher…

Johann Pachelbel | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Johann Pachelbel. Johann Pachelbel 1653-1706 Johann Pachelbel was a German composer, organist, and teacher whose large body of sacred and secular music and contributions to the development of the chorale prelude and fugue have earned…  Read More

Richard Dirksen | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle

In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Richard Dirksen. Richard Dirksen 1921-2003 American composer, Richard Dirksen, was well known for his liturgical pieces and his service as organist and choirmaster at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Awarded a scholarship, he studied…  Read More