On this Valentine’s Day, GPS highlights the outstanding accomplishments of Dr. Charles Drew, who is responsible for the creation of what we’ve come to know as “blood banks.” We turn to Aretha Franklin for our musical inspiration which melds our faith in the Creator and love for each other in one classic song that… Read More →
Join GPS for the 13th installment in our series highlighting Black excellence. Today we honor the work of Lloyd Augustus Hall, a pioneer in the food preservation industry. The perfect musical pairing on this Valentine’s weekend–how about a little Four Tops and “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch (I can’t help myself)“? Join us! Lloyd Augustus Hall… Read More →
Happy Friday! Today marks the twelfth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Mark E. Dean, computer scientist and engineer, who helped develop a number of landmark technologies for IBM, including the color PC monitor and the first gigahertz chip. He… Read More →
Karla Nweje is an arts educator, choreographer, performer, and literary artist known for cultivating partnerships across organizations and programs to make quality arts experiences accessible to all learners. Karla is a regular presenter and speaker at arts and education conferences and serves on the teaching artist roster for many organizations.
Ginger Commodore is a singer, songwriter, and actress who enjoys an illustrious career in the Twin Cities area. An original member of the Grammy Award winning Sounds of Blackness and the Moore by Four vocal jazz ensemble, Ginger has shared the stage with countless stars and has taken her inspirational performances around the globe. Click…
What devices work with the VocalEssence WITNESS Resource Portal? VocalEssence videos can be accessed through the WITNESS Resource Portal and are streamed through a private Vimeo link. Anywhere you can play online videos—computer, tablet, smartphone, or smart TV—you can watch VocalEssence videos. Can I watch videos on my television? Yes, there are many options to…
Welcome from the LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT TEAM Thank you for registering for VocalEssence WITNESS! Enjoy these free resources funded by institutions and individual donors. Scroll down to view a variety of resources created by curriculum writer Joanna Cortright and the VocalEssence Learning and Engagement team staff. We hope you and your students will use and…
VocalEssence is celebrating Black Excellence. As part of its daily pandemic show, Take 5 with GPS, VocalEssence will showcase Black achievement in the arts and beyond each day of Black History Month, and will celebrate notable Black Women for each day of Women’s History Month.
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Alan Bullard. Alan Bullard b.1947 Alan Bullard is a British composer known for his religious choral works featuring gorgeous melodies and rich harmonic textures. Bullard grew up in London and studied with Geoffrey Flowers and… Read More →
Today marks the fourth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Dr. Valerie L. Thomas, inventor of the illusion transmitter and retired associate chief of the Space Science Data Operations Office (SSDOO) at NASA. His musical inspiration comes from the song… Read More →
This year our beloved Welcome Christmas concert is available on VocalEssence On Demand AND will be televised across Minnesota on Twin Cities PBS (TPT) three times during the peak of the holiday season, and making it available to stream on their family of platforms. Relevant dates include: December 19th: Welcome Christmas becomes available to stream…
VocalEssence Teaching Artists explore the yearly program theme through the lens of their artistic discipline, creating an integrative academic experience for students combining the study of African American culture with art, music, social studies, literature, character building, and other areas of school curriculum. VocalEssence Teaching Artists Timothy Berry, Vocalist/Composer/Percussionist Patricia Brown, Dance Instructor/Choreographer Brandon Commodore,…
We asked Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III what they think about voting. Below is what they said. “I have never missed an opportunity to vote–usually in person at the elementary school in our neighborhood. Voting is one of the great privileges we have in our democracy–never take it for… Read More →
Give the gift of beautiful music! Purchase a gift certificate for a full season subscription or a single stream for the 2020-2021 season. Gift certificates include the transaction fee, so everything is taken care of for the awardee. Purchase Over The Phone Call 612-371-5656 to purchase a gift certificate over the phone on Tuesdays, Wednesdays,…
Where do I go to watch Celebrate? Visit the website listed below and login using the username and password that you created from the link in the email confirmation. https://www.vocalessence.org/celebrate/ What happens after I order a VocalEssence digital stream? Once you’ve placed your order, you will receive an order confirmation email which will include a…
