Stories & Results

Where in the World are the Conductors—April 2018

Spring holds so many incredible musical moments for the VocalEssence team, with new and old voices joining in! Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III and his family are delighted to announce they welcomed a new member—Lydia Grace. Born on Wednesday, March 21 at 7:13 am, Lydia joins brother Malachi (4). Check out the VocalEssence Facebook…  Read More

VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (SOTA)

The singers from the VocalEssence Youth Choir recently announced themselves to the local community using their official name: VocalEssence Singers Of This Age, or SOTA, for short. Since this is the inaugural year for the diverse choir, with students from all over the Twin Cities, the students were given the task naming the group. “During…  Read More

Where in the World are the Conductors—February 2018

Our conductors had a great time with VocalEssence WITNESS: Of Such I Dream and the debut of the new youth choir, VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (SOTA). But there’s always another adventure around the corner for Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Philip Brunelle will be escaping to warmer quarters…  Read More

VocalEssence kicked off Super Bowl Live with Idina Menzel

VocalEssence was thrilled to kick off Super Bowl Live on Friday, January 26, 2018 on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis with guest artists Idina Menzel and Esera Tuaolo. Enjoy this clip of members of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers performing a Minnesota medley for the crowd. Thank you to the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee for the…  Read More

Where in the World are the Conductors—January 2018

While the busy holiday season is behind them, the new year holds plenty of exciting projects for our in-demand conductors, Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Our Ensemble Singers are putting the final polish on their preparations for the Super Bowl LIVE kickoff concert. Philip Brunelle is leading them in…  Read More

Enjoy the Warmth of Winter Community Sing-Alongs

Is there anything more cheering on a snowy winter weekend than joining in song with your fellow lovers of choral music? Two upcoming community sing-along events provide the perfect opportunity to create a beautiful experience—whatever your skill level. (Hint: nobody will know if you just move your lips during the hard parts!) The Minnesota Chorale…  Read More

Season’s Greetings from the VocalEssence Youth Choir

Our brand new choir made up of local high school students has a holiday gift to share—check out the video above to hear their incredible performance of “Deck the Halls.” The young singers have been hard at work learning to perform as a unified chorus, and will celebrate their inaugural concert at VocalEssence WITNESS: Of Such…  Read More

Where in the World are the Conductors – December 2017

December is a music-filled month for our hard-working conductors, Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. They led performers in introducing a new generation of choral music fans to holiday carols in the sold out Star of Wonder concerts, and carried on a beloved tradition with the Welcome Christmas concert series.…  Read More

VocalEssence to Perform at Super Bowl Live

VocalEssence is thrilled to announce that it has been tapped to kick off the Super Bowl Live festivities in Minneapolis. This January, in a kick-off event leading up to Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers will perform a 20 minute set on Nicollet Mall before Idina Menzel, Tony Award-Winner and…  Read More

VocalEssence Presents Award for Creative Programming to Northfield High School Director

VocalEssence was pleased to present the Award for Creative Programming to Kyle Eastman, director of the Northfield High School Concert Choir. The award is presented annually to a Minnesota-based non-professional choral organization in order to uphold high standards of excellence in repertoire selection, to acknowledge and reward creativity in performing choral performance, and to affirm the importance…  Read More

Where in the World are the Conductors – November 2017

Following the very successful and sold out Bach & Bluegrass Jamboree performance, Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III led performers in recording selections to be included in a new cd titled Mortals & Angels: A Bluegrass Te Deum that will be available on December 1, 2017. Both conductors will be busy at…  Read More

VocalEssence Youth Choir a ‘Breath of Fresh Air’

More than 50 students from 13 Twin Cities High Schools have attended the first three rehearsals of the inaugural year of the VocalEssence Youth Choir led by VocalEssence Associate Conductor and Education Program Manager G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Each rehearsal includes a mix of singing, social bonding activities, and work with the guest artists that…  Read More

VocalEssence Vintage Voices Choirs Take the Stage

It is concert week for the VocalEssence Vintage Voices programs at Parkshore Senior Community in St. Louis Park and Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley. Both choirs have been working hard with conductor Rob Graham and accompanist John Jensen. The Vintage Voices program from VocalEssence brings the many benefits—physical, psychological, and social—of choral participation to older…  Read More