Minnesota is home to one of the truly international gems in choral music—the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers. This 32-voice professional chorus sings under the direction of VocalEssence founder Philip Brunelle and associate…  Read More →

Artistic Director and Founder phone 612-547-1451 fax 612-547-1484 philip@vocalessence.org Download High Resolution Press Photo Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder of VocalEssence, is an internationally renowned conductor, choral scholar and visionary.…  Read More →

Sample Program I O Praise the Lord of Heaven (William Billings) The Day Is Done (Stephen Paulus) Zuni Sunrise Song (Brent Michael Davids) Zion’s Walls (Aaron Copland) Oh Susannah (Stephen…  Read More →

Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine (Eric Whitacre) My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord (Moses Hogan) La Cucaracha (arr. Robert Sund)

“VocalEssence have a blend that could – and should – be the envy of every choir in the business.” —Alexandra Coghlan, Oxford Times (UK) “The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers are fully paid-up members…  Read More →

1969 Philip Brunelle founds the Plymouth Church Music Series. 1970 Aaron Copland conducts a performance of his choral works aptly titled “In the Beginning.” 1973 Dominick Argento composes Jonah and…  Read More →

In addition to championing lesser-known works of the past, VocalEssence has an unwavering commitment to today’s composers, which has resulted in more than 140 world premieres to date. The organization…  Read More →

Artistic Director and Founder phone 612-547-1451 fax 612-547-1484 philip@vocalessence.org Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder of VocalEssence, is an internationally renowned conductor, choral scholar and visionary. He has made his…  Read More →

Executive Director phone 612-547-1454 fax 612-547-1464 maryann@vocalessence.org Mary Ann Aufderheide joined VocalEssence as managing director in 2003. Under her leadership she has firmly established the VocalEssence brand name as representing…  Read More →

Learning and Engagement Manager | Conductor, Vintage Voices phone 612-547-1458 fax 612-547-1484 robert@vocalessence.org Robert J. Graham joined the VocalEssence team in August 2012 as both a member of the administrative…  Read More →

Development and Marketing Associate phone 612-547-1473 fax 612-547-1484 laura@vocalessence.org Laura Holst, Development and Marketing Associate, has been on staff at VocalEssence since August 2006. She received a Bachelor of Music…  Read More →

After more than 50 years of championing the power act of singing together, VocalEssence has been recognized by organizations around the world. We received the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for adventurous…  Read More →

Foundations VocalEssence enjoys extraordinary support from a wide variety of foundations that believe in our work. Foundation trustees and program officers are confident that VocalEssence will deliver outcomes for our audience members and…  Read More →

When you become a VocalEssence corporate sponsor, you align your organization with one of Minnesota’s most established choral organizations. A sponsorship with VocalEssence provides your organization an opportunity to advance your strategic marketing…  Read More →