VocalEssence is expanding upon the work we have done for nearly three decades in providing Minneapolis and St. Paul students access to choral music. We are creating a VocalEssence Youth Choir that revolutionizes our concept of choir and seeks to reflect the diversity of our community in its membership. Through this choir, we seek to… Read More →
The 10th Anniversary VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! composers are here! Bernardo Feldman and Jimena Contreras have been working with schools all over the metro and falling in love with the Twin Cities in the process. Below are a few highlights from their visit. Jimena created a set of videos that gave the elementary students a tour… Read More →
Artistic Director Philip Brunelle is presently in Seoul, South Korea conducting an all-American concert with one of Korea’s finest professional choirs, the Ansan City Choir. Included in the program is “Peter Quince at the Clavier” by Dominick Argento, to celebrate Argento’s 90th birthday on October 27. When he returns, he will have a number of… Read More →
A wonderful month ahead with lots of music-making! The first rehearsals have begun for the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers. Osmo Vänskä comes to rehearsal next week as the Ensemble Singers prepare for the Finland concerts with Osmo on clarinet and Sara Pajunen on fiddle. Don’t miss one of these September 24 concerts at the… Read More →
This fall, more than 60 older adults from Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley and Parkshore Senior Living in St. Louis Park are warming up their voices at VocalEssence Vintage Voices rehearsals. Vintage Voices, a program of VocalEssence, brings the many benefits—physical, psychological, and social—of choral participation to older adults. It removes barriers to engagement and… Read More →
VocalEssence is pleased to announce the following winners of the 20th annual VocalEssence Welcome Christmas Carol Contest, and the second year of VocalEssence ReMix. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all who applied. Welcome Christmas Carol Contest Winners Sponsored by the American Composers Forum and VocalEssence, the Welcome Christmas Carol Contest is now… Read More →
Philip Brunelle, Artistic Director & Founder July and August have definitely been ‘music months’ for me. July began with many planning meetings for the coming season and the first week concluded with an amazing patriotic event at the Anoka airport with 24 VocalEssence singers and 5000 motorcyclists and their motorcycles! Then off to Barcelona for the… Read More →
Creative Minnesota highlights the positive impact being made by artists and creative workers. The 2017 study found that every region of the state has a robust arts economy, from the prairies of southwest Minnesota to the busy Twin Cities area to the tourist magnet that is the North Shore. The combined annual economic impact of… Read More →
The ensemble of solo piano, chorus, and orchestra provides a formidable challenge to any composer given its sheer size, sonic power, and infinite textural and color possibilities. While planning for this work, I sought thematic material that would allow the piano to embody a character or person who could speak clearly and directly to the listener. During this conception… Read More →
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 →
In case you missed it, these were just a few high points from the 2017 VocalEssence WITNESS concert at Orchestra Hall: 1. Hearing songs from three local composers (Daniel Kantor’s “River Holy”, Emily Feld’s “The Gift to Sing”, and Jake Runestad’s “We Can Mend the Sky”). The concert served as the world premiere of Feld’s… Read More →
For the next three months, VocalEssence will feature its education programs to promote Music Makes Us Whole, an initiative that brings together non-profit and for-profit organizations in Minnesota to raise awareness about the ways a rich music education enhances a child’s development. This month, we’re highlighting VocalEssence WITNESS School Program and Lullaby Project. VocalEssence WITNESS… Read More →
Many generous donors have helped VocalEssence raise $17,352 to cover the cost for 694 students to attend the WITNESS Young People’s Concerts this February. 6,567 students from grades 4 to 12 are expected to attend the two concerts February 16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Each ticket costs $28.50, so VocalEssence asked in November for… Read More →
Thrivent Financial and VocalEssence invite you to help us throw a baby shower for the moms and babies participating in The Lullaby Project. Nothing conveys the intimate bond between mother and child quite like a lullaby. The word itself summons images of quiet moments and tender whispers of love. Every baby deserves a lullaby. VocalEssence… Read More →
Hear more hammered dulcimer by Stu Janis at the VocalEssence Welcome Christmas concerts December 9, 10, and 11, 2016 in Roseville and Minneapolis, MN. Click here for more information.
