In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Moses Hogan. Moses Hogan 1957-2003 Moses Hogan was a leading arranger of African-American spirituals, as well as a talented pianist and conductor. Beginning at an early age, Hogan studied piano and was immersed in the… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Calvin Hampton. Calvin Hampton 1938-1984 Calvin Hampton was best known for his music for organ and his talents as an organist, though he also composed beautiful sacred music for choir. He studied organ and composition… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Ola Gjeilo. Ola Gjeilo b. 1978 Ola Gjeilo is one of the most frequently performed composers in the choral world. An accomplished pianist, improvisations over his own published choral pieces have become a trademark of… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Ysaÿe M. Barnwell. Ysaÿe M. Barnwell b. 1946 The composer and singer Ysaÿe M. Barnwell writes meaningful music that choirs love to sing. After studying violin for fifteen years and majoring in music in high… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Samuel Barber. Samuel Barber 1910-1981 The treasured American composer Samuel Barber wrote works in nearly every genre and is especially admired for his vocal and choral music. Immersed in music from a young age, Barber… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Uzee Brown Jr. Uzee Brown Jr. b. 1950 The music of Uzee Brown Jr. is performed by choirs around the world. A native of Cowpens, South Carolina, Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Jean Berger. Jean Berger 1909-2002 The composer, conductor, and musicologist Jean Berger was born in Germany and began taking piano and organ lessons at a young age. He studied at the universities of Vienna and… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Charles Ives, featuring mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski. Charles Ives 1874-1954 American composer Charles Ives is best known for his experimental music that influenced generations of composers. Born in Danbury, Connecticut, Ives began his musical education under… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Harry T. Burleigh. Harry T. Burleigh 1866-1949 The skilled composer and talented singer Harry Burleigh was a pioneering arranger of concert spirituals for solo voice and piano. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, Burleigh studied piano, voice,… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer William Billings. He is joined by mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski and soprano Jenny French. William Billings 1746-1800 Choral composer, teacher, and organist William Billings is recognized by many as the first professional American composer. Since he… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Daniel Pinkham. Daniel Pinkham 1923-2006 Daniel Pinkham was an acclaimed composer, organist, choral conductor, and teacher. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, he began learning piano and composing at age 5. He studied at Harvard with Piston… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Evelyn Simpson Curenton. This episode features a performance by singer Jearlyn Steele. Evelyn Simpson Curenton b. 1953 The versatile musician and composer Evelyn Simpson Curenton is one of today’s leading arrangers of gospel music… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Amy Cheney Beach. Amy Cheney Beach 1867-1944 The pioneering composer Amy Cheney Beach was the first American woman to compose large-scale concert music and find widespread success. Born in Henniker, New Hampshire, Beach demonstrated outstanding… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Percy Grainger. Percy Grainger 1882-1961 Australian-American composer and pianist Percy Grainger was best known for his work as a collector and arranger of folk music. Grainger’s mother taught him from their home in Melbourne until… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Adolphus Hailstork. Adolphus Hailstork b. 1941 The music of the accomplished composer Adolphus Hailstork is frequently performed and commissioned by acclaimed ensembles throughout the United States. Hailstork studied at the Manhattan School of Music under… Read More →
