VocalEssence is in the midst of an extended strategic planning process. The following mission, vision, and values statements are the first outcomes of this work. We are thrilled to present the following statements with you and look forward to sharing more with you as our plans for the future of VocalEssence unfold. Mission VocalEssence draws…
VocalEssence is thrilled to announce that our VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (VESOTA) graduating seniors and mentor singers will receive scholarships to help them pursue their future dreams! In addition, VocalEssence will secure funding to continue to offer scholarships to future graduating members of VESOTA. Graduating VESOTA singers will be awarded funds for each year…
Philip Brunelle: The 54th VocalEssence season is in full swing and Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director, is delighted to be rehearsing the Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn music with the Ensemble Singers and the Chorus, preparing for the October 15 opening concert of the season, The Mendelssohns. On September 18 he was inducted into…
VocalEssence is thrilled to announce the addition of six new members to its Board of Directors. The VocalEssence Board of Directors serve as ambassadors for the organization in the larger community. They also guide VocalEssence in all major policy decisions while ensuring the financial stability of the 54-year-old nonprofit. “I’m delighted to welcome our new…
Philip Brunelle: The summer months have been fascinating for Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director–not only the time devoted to planning and studying repertoire for the upcoming 54th season, but also time in Europe and concerts at home. The end of June found Philip and his wife Carolyn in Stockholm visiting friends and meeting with…
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 →
Awaken your spirit with the sounds and colors of performances by the VocalEssence Chorus, Ensemble Singers, and Singers Of This Age. Experience sounds from near and far, exploring music of Denmark, Haiti, Mexico, the United States, and more, featuring composer and guest artist, Moira Smiley, whose style has been described as genre bending “mixing Bartok…
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 word, and visual art, the VocalEssence Singers Of This Age and guest artists will activate our imagination to inspire us into action. Change Sings features choral standards and co-created original works inspired…
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
Philip Brunelle: Summer has arrived and the level of activity at VocalEssence has not diminished for Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle! All the planning for season 54 continues and is very exciting! A 5 year project has been completed and Philip is very pleased to announce that the two volume set of Stephen Paulus…
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 word, and visual art, the VocalEssence Singers Of This Age and guest artists will activate our imagination to inspire us into action. Change Sings features choral standards and co-created original works inspired…
The VocalEssence Singers Of This Age were invited to perform at the second annual Arc Toward Justice program at the last Westminster Town Hall Forum of the season on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. The event featured Michele Norris and Yamiche Alcindor who discuss all that has happened in the two years since the murder of George Floyd. The… Read More →
Philip Brunelle: With the conclusion of VocalEssence 53rd season and the completion of auditions for season 54, Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle will be working on plans for the coming season as well as time to “attack” the filing of music and correspondence that awaits him! He is very pleased that this month his… Read More →
