Stories & Results

VocalEssence Partners with Minnesota Opera

Minnesota Opera and VocalEssence partnered together on a series of events surrounding their work with composer B.E. Boykin. The two organizations collaborated on a joint Osher Lifelong Learning Institute course that was held in January. Thirty Vintage Voices singers and guests along with their conductor, Robert Graham, had a fantastic time attending an open dress…

MPS ALL DISTRICT CHORAL FESTIVAL

For the second year in a row, at the request of the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) choir teachers, VocalEssence partnered with MPS to hold an All District Choir Festival. On Wednesday, January 28, more than 300 singers from Minneapolis Public Middle and High Schools gathered together at Ted Mann Concert Hall on the University of…

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

On Sunday, January 18th, 2026, a cathartic Martin Luther King tribute concert was held at Westwood Lutheran Church. VocalEssence Associate Artistic Director G. Phillip Shoultz, who is also the cantor at Westwood, curated the program, which was inspired by a well-known MLK quote, “faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole…

VocalEssence Welcomes Five New Board Members

VocalEssence is thrilled to announce the addition of five 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 57-year-old nonprofit. “I’m delighted to welcome our new…

Thank you, Anita Ruth!

Anita Ruth has been a VocalEssence Teaching Artist for more than 20 years. She shared the story of how it all began as well as a favorite memory of hers from her time working in schools for the VocalEssence WITNESS School Program. While doing a show at Ruby’s Cabaret in downtown Minneapolis some thirty years…

NEA Statement

VocalEssence has a deep and rich history of nurturing community and bridging cultural differences through the power of singing together. And for many years, the NEA has funded the VocalEssence WITNESS program, which celebrates the contributions the Black community makes to the fine arts and to our common cultural heritage. When it comes to federal…

People wearing red and white Santa hats holding black folders and singing.

VocalEssence Holiday Programming 2024

VocalEssence has several opportunities to listen and watch over the holidays. Here are the ways you can enjoy VocalEssence programming: VocalEssence On Demand Enjoy inspiration on your schedule! This digital content is available whenever and wherever! View our digital releases-including the newly released highlights from Welcome Christmas 2024 at Northrop, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio from 2023…

VocalEssence Welcomes New Board Members

VocalEssence is thrilled to announce the addition of three 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 56-year-old nonprofit. “I’m delighted to welcome our new…

Black-Owned Business and Artist Showcase

At this year’s WITNESS: Leading with Love concert, VocalEssence was thrilled to feature a showcase of Black makers and entrepreneurs who align themselves with the message of “leading with love.” Target Atrium at Orchestra Hall was bustling with activity on the day of the event. There were book readings, songs sung, improv comedy skits performed,…

Healing Beats Sessions

“Telling our stories takes time and space.”—Healing Beats Session Participant “We are all connected. We are all ancestors.”—Healing Beats Session Participant Over the past few months VocalEssence held Healing Beats Sessions led by Melanie DeMore at five sites around the Twin Cities. Melanie DeMore has expertise in the traditions of the Gullah persons from the…

Philip Brunelle Featured on Connect the Dots

Choral music called … and Philip Brunelle answered “Connect the Dots” from Minnesota Now | February 20, 2024 Cathy Wurzer, Chris Farrell and Ellen Finn Philip Brunelle has done it all. Currently, he’s the founder and artistic director of VocalEssence. VocalEssence is based at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. Brunelle has led the choir for 55 years. A…

VocalEssence singers holding black folders performing at Northrop with brass and percussion players conducted by G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Photo Credit: Tony Nelson Photography

VocalEssence Holiday Programming 2023

VocalEssence has several opportunities to listen and watch over the holidays. Here are the ways you can enjoy VocalEssence programming: VocalEssence On Demand Enjoy inspiration on your schedule! This digital content is available whenever and wherever! View our digital releases-including the newly released highlights from Welcome Christmas 2023 at Northrop, the 2021-2022 Digital Season, single…

Where in the World Are the Conductors? October 2023

Philip Brunelle: The 55th VocalEssence season is in full swing and Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director, is delighted to be rehearsing music for the October 29 opening concert with the Ensemble Singers and the Chorus. In late August he spent 10 days in Brittany and then visited daughter Elise and family in Vermont…