What a year! After a successful 50th season, we took a moment to pause and reflect on our accomplishments with those near and dear to us. On May 9, 2019, 80 people representing a broad slice of the VocalEssence community—members of our board, staff, choirs, donors, patrons, volunteers, and advisory councils—came together to share in the… Read More →
Artistic Director Philip Brunelle just returned from England meeting with John Rutter, Sir Stephen Cleobury (just knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours), Simon Halsey and Katie Rowan—the person helping us with the U.S. premiere in October of Ina Boyle’s music. He and his wife Carolyn also enjoyed a week’s vacation in Wales and on the… Read More →
For Artistic Director Philip Brunelle, the end of the concert season with our Bob Dylan tribute was a festive conclusion to season 50! Now we are in the midst of finalizing plans for season 51 and beyond. The month of May is also filled with auditions – about 50 hours’ worth. Each year those in… Read More →
Thank you to the 262 people who took the Candide Survey. The VocalEssence staff analyzes the results and uses the information to plan for better performances in the future. Below is a summary of the results. 40% of attendees were attending their very first VocalEssence event, and 26% of respondents attended VocalEssence concerts more than… Read More →
Thank you to the 150 people who took the VocalEssence WITNESS: Yet They Persist Survey. The VocalEssence staff analyzes the results and uses the information to plan for better performances in the future. Below is a summary of the results. 17% of attendees were attending their very first VocalEssence concert, and 44% of respondents attended… Read More →
Thank you to the people who took the Tales & Tunes Survey. This is our first Tales & Tunes event, and we appreciate you taking the time to give us feedback. The VocalEssence staff analyzes the results and uses the information to plan for better performances in the future. Below is a summary of the… Read More →
Following the amazing success of Candide, Artistic Director Philip Brunelle was in Mexico City for meetings about the Ensemble Singers next visit there in August 2019. He and his wife Carolyn also spent four days vacationing in Oaxaca (a rarity!). On Sunday, April 7 he will accompany the five Plymouth Church soloists in a concert as… Read More →
Artistic Director Philip Brunelle was interviewed about why VocalEssence chose to perform The Times They Are A-Changin’ at the Palace Theatre in Saint Paul. The Palace Theatre is not the first venue you think of when you think of a choir concert. Why did you choose to perform at the Palace? I always think about… Read More →
Minneapolis and Trillium Woods in Plymouth are busy learning and preparing music to perform at their upcoming spring concerts! This spring Rob added a new part of the program called “singer check-ins”, where each singer reserved a 10-minute time slot with Rob to test their vocal range and share any vocal health concerns they may… Read More →
Thank you to the 69 people who took the Frozen Movie Sing-Along Survey. This is our first family movie event, and we appreciate you taking the time to give us feedback. The VocalEssence staff analyzes the results and uses the information to plan for better performances in the future. Below is a summary of the results. 43%… Read More →
Both Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III will be attending the national convention of ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) in Kansas City the last days of February. It is an important time for them to connect with colleagues and also to attend the premiere of Dr. André Thomas’… Read More →
Dominick Argento was an amazing man—he was my teacher, colleague and personal friend of our family. When I arrived at the University of Minnesota, I signed up for History of Opera, not knowing that I would have the best professor on opera as my teacher! I have often said that if you wish to take… Read More →
Join us at VocalEssence WITNESS: Yet They Persist on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at 4 PM at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis! Tickets start at $10. Visit this website to learn more and purchase tickets: https://www.vocalessence.org/event/concert-vocalessence-witness-yet-they-persist/
As we work toward inclusion, access, and equity at VocalEssence, we are finding ways to include new voices for board leadership. The Board Affairs Committee, which nominates people to join the board of directors, was looking for guidance on the best way to identify future leaders for the organization. Led by Board Affairs Chair Dorene… Read More →
This spring, the VocalEssence Board and Staff are excited to embark on a multi-year journey into Intercultural Organizational Development to assist in furthering our Inclusion, Access, and Equity commitment. After interviewing multiple consultants, the VocalEssence Executive Committee of the Board has approved working with Beth Zemsky. Beth comes to VocalEssence after decades of experience in… Read More →
