BEDROOM COMMUNITY AND FRIENDS Featuring Valgeir Sigurðsson, Jodie Landau, Sam Amidon and Daníel Bjarnason with Mariam Wallentin and Pekka Kuusisto Copresented with the American Swedish Institute Tuesday, May 9, 2017 Doors at 6pm | Music at 7:30pm (purchase tickets) American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis Bedroom Community, “a creative hub of sonic geniuses that continues to evolve and… Read More →
VocalEssence Mission VocalEssence draws upon the power of singing together to nurture community, inspire creativity, affirm the value of all persons, and expand the influence of choral music. VocalEssence Vision VocalEssence seeks to be forward-thinking—a singing community where all find belonging. Aspiring to inspire, we discover, celebrate, and build lasting experiences that transform hearts and… Read More →
Director of Artistic Operations phone 612-547-1480 ethan@vocalessence.org Ethan Johnson joined the team at VocalEssence in the summer of 2019. As the Director of Artistic Operations, Ethan oversees the process of planning and executing the behind-the-scenes details of VocalEssence artistic programs, including concert production and Learning & Engagement programmatic events. Working with VocalEssence artists and guest… Read More →
Students are buzzing with excitement about the upcoming VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Community Concerts on Monday, May 23 at 6 and 8 pm at the Ordway Concert Hall. Northport Elementary School students have been practicing moving while singing. Composer Alephsus Valdés has written a song for them using iPads. “Máscaras” or “Masks” includes students covering and uncovering… Read More →
CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE TO PERFORM LISTENER-SELECTED TOP TEN CHORAL SONGS — LIVE! Local choral ensemble and MPR countdown top choral works in Listeners’ Choice Live concert—Apr. 22 and Apr. 24 MINNEAPOLIS — April 6, 2016—Aaron Copland’s “Simple Gifts,” Randall Thompson’s “Alleluia,” John Rutter’s “What Sweeter Music?” Which will make the nation’s ultimate choral… Read More →
You voted, and now VocalEssence and Classical MPR are preparing to reveal the listeners’ choice top 25 choral countdown. Whether you are a soprano, alto, tenor or bass, the VocalEssence Listeners’ Choice LIVE performances this April will wrap you in one big choral blanket of warmth. Our singers cannot hold in their excitement: “Both I… Read More →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a05dQj0ljpE&feature=youtu.be VocalEssence WITNESS: Morehouse College Glee Club engaged more than 8,000 people in less than a week, thanks to many people in our community (you know who you are!) You are an inspiration to us all. Thank you.
Young Minneapolis composer Jake Runestad connects with the struggles of war veterans in “Dreams of the Fallen.” By Kristin Tillotson, Star Tribune OCTOBER 4, 2015 — 2:00PM Photos by RICHARD TSONG-TAATARII • rtsong.taatarii@startribune.com Minneapolis composer Jake Runestad, a rising figure on the national classical scene, ties topical issues to his music. On Sunday VocalEssence performs… Read More →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC4EWANvsp4&feature=youtu.be October is Veterans’ Voices Month, as proclaimed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2014, and VocalEssence will open our 47th Season on October 11 with Dreams of the Fallen, a tribute to U.S. military Veterans. Jake Runestad, whose monumental work with Iraq war Veteran and poet Brian Turner provides the centerpiece and title for the… Read More →
By Graydon Royce September 11, 2015 — 1:48pm ‘Dreams of the Fallen’ Jake Runestad, one of the choral world’s hot young composers, set music to the words of Iraq war veteran and poet Brian Turner for this concert by VocalEssence and the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra that tries to comprehend the incomprehensible experience of the warrior.… Read More →
Accompanist phone 612-547-1451 fax 612-547-1484 info@vocalessence.org Pianist Casey Rafn enjoys a varied career as a collaborative pianist both in the United States and abroad, in Europe and Latin America. He is a member of ‘Trés’, whose saxophone-piano trio was just nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album for their new album “Romance al… Read More →
CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE PERFORMS “DREAMS OF THE FALLEN” TO OPEN 47th SEASON Acclaimed choral ensemble delivers work of veteran and poet in Midwest premiere Oct. 11 MINNEAPOLIS—JULY 28, 2015—What does it mean to live through 21st-century war? Minneapolis-based choral ensemble VocalEssence will stage the Midwest premiere of Dreams of the Fallen, an… Read More →
By Graydon Royce Star Tribune July 2, 2015 — 3:00 pm Video (03:27): It takes Don Shelby two hours to transform into Mark Twain for the L’Homme Dieu Theatre production of River Songs with Mark Twain in Alexandria, Minn. Alexandria, Minn. – The show started about midnight. High above the campfire audience at Theatre L’Homme… Read More →
The VocalEssence production of The Radio Hour snagged a national debut in May on American Public Media’s YourClassical.org. Whether you missed the Midwest premiere performance in March or want to enjoy it all over again, take a look at this video of the 40-minute choral opera by composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer. The VocalEssence… Read More →
