Yesterday afternoon, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers performed a solo program at the Three Choirs Festival in Hereford, a rare honor as an American choir. Today we are delighted to make our premiere here in the marvelous Bath Abbey, upon the recommendation of Sir John Rutter, presenting a program that celebrates the rich tapestry of music by composers from around the globe.

Throughout this evening’s program, you’ll encounter several composers who have shared a special bond with VocalEssence. We open with My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord by Moses Hogan, an African American composer renowned for his arrangements of spirituals. Irish composer Ina Boyle’s Jesu, Thou Son of Mary from Gaelic Hymns was composed during the time she traveled from Ireland to England to study with Ralph Vaughan Williams. The Ensemble Singers gave the United States premiere of this set of hymns in 2019. Benjamin Britten’s Rosa Mystica was composed in 1939 when he was just 25 years old and living in America.

Eric Whitacre, whose works are well known throughout Europe and the U.S., collaborated with VocalEssence in 2009 for a festival of his music in Minnesota. Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine, featured in that festival, was conducted by the composer himself.

Another composer we celebrate tonight is Alice Parker, whose centenary we mark this year—this remarkable woman lived to age 98, passing just two years ago. Parker maintained a long relationship with VocalEssence. Known for her collaborations with Robert Shaw, she championed folk songs and hymns of 19th century America. Two of her pieces are featured today, the beloved Wondrous Love and On the Common Ground, a piece Alice composed at age 95 inspired by New England traditions of a shared meeting place open to all.

From Norway comes Egil Hovland’s Karin Boye’s Evening Prayer (Aftonbön), a gentle setting of a bedtime prayer. Crossing back to Britain, this past year VocalEssence was thrilled to welcome Sir James MacMillan to Minnesota for a week of concerts, classes, and conversations celebrating his remarkable work. It is a delight to have Lady Suzi Digby with us this evening to conduct Sir James MacMillan’s setting of O Virgo Prudentissima.

Minnesota is home to a vibrant community of composers, and this program features two. Daniel Kantor, a current member of the VocalEssence Board of Directors, composed River Holy, for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir—today it is performed with 32 singers…not 300! Also from Minnesota, Paul Manz’s widely admired motet, E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come, has been frequently performed by numerous choirs including the Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge.

We close the program with British composer Gustav Holst’s This have I done for my true love, a beautiful motet. We are grateful for the opportunity to perform for you in this inspiring space.

—Philip Brunelle, MBE
Artistic Director and Founder, VocalEssence

MY SOUL’S BEEN ANCHORED IN THE LORD
arr. Moses Hogan (1999)

JESU, THOU SON OF MARY from GAELIC HYMNS
Ina Boyle (1924)

ROSA MYSTICA (MYSTICAL ROSE) from AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM (FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD)
Benjamin Britten (1939)

LEONARDO DREAMS OF HIS FLYING MACHINE
Eric Whitacre (2002)
JoAnna Johnson, Mari Scott, Robin Helgen, Patty Kramer, and Erik Krohg, soloists

WONDROUS LOVE
arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw (1960)

ON THE COMMON GROUND
Alice Parker (2020)
JoAnna Johnson, soprano

KARIN BOYE’S EVENING PRAYER (AFTONBÖN)
Egil Hovland (1990)

O VIRGO PRUDENTISSIMA (O VIRGIN MOST WISE)
Sir James MacMillan (2018)
Suzi Digby, Lady Eatwell OBE, guest conductor

RIVER HOLY
Daniel Kantor (2009)
Dakota Anderson, bass

E’EN SO, LORD JESUS, QUICKLY COME
Paul Manz (1953)

THIS HAVE I DONE FOR MY TRUE LOVE
Gustav Holst (1916)
Mari Scott, soprano

MY SOUL’S BEEN ANCHORED IN THE LORD
arr. Moses Hogan (1999)

In the Lord, in the Lord.
My soul’s been anchored in the Lord.

Before I’d stay in hell one day,
I’d sing an’ pray myself away.
My soul’s been anchored in the Lord.

Goin’ shout an’ pray an’ never stop,
Until I reach the mountain top.
My soul’s been anchored in the Lord.
—Negro Spiritual

JESU, THOU SON OF MARY from GAELIC HYMNS
Ina Boyle (1924)

Jesu, Thou Son of Mary, Have mercy upon us. Amen.
Jesu, Thou Son of Mary, Make peace with us. Amen.

O, with us and for us
Where we shall longest be,
Be about the morning of our course,
Be about the closing of our life
Be at the dawning of our life
And at the darkening of our day.

Be for us and with us,
Merciful God of all
Consecrate us, condition and lot,
Thou King of kings, Thou God of all.
Consecrate us heart and body,
Thou King of kings, Thou God of all.

Each heart and body
Each day to Thyself,
Each night accordingly
Thou King of kings, Thou God of all.
Amen.

ROSA MYSTICA (MYSTICAL ROSE) from AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM (FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD)
Benjamin Britten (1939)

In the Gardens of God, in the daylight divine,
Find me a place by thee, Mother of mine,
The Rose in a Mystery, where is it found?
Is it anything true? Does it grow upon ground?
It was made of earth’s mould, but it went from men’s eyes,
And its place is a secret, and shut in the skies.

In the Gardens of God, I shall look on thy loveliness,
Mother of mine, but where was it formerly?
Which is the spot that was blest in it once,
Though now it is not?
It is Galilee’s growth: It grew at God’s will
And broke into bloom upon Nazareth Hill.

I shall keep time with thee, Mother of mine,
Tell me the name now, tell me its name:
The heart guesses easily, is it the same?
Mary, the Virgin, well, the heart knows,
She is the Mystery, she is that Rose.

I shall come home to thee, Mother of mine.
Is Mary that Rose, then? Mary, the tree?
But the Blossom, the Blossom there, who can it be?
Who can her Rose be? Who? It could be but One:
Christ Jesus, our Lord, her God and her Son.

In the Gardens of God, daylight divine
Show me thy Son, Mother, Mother of mine,
Does it smell sweet, too, in that holy place?
Sweet unto God, and the sweetness is grace.

The breath of it bathes the great heaven above,
In grace that is charity, grace that is love.
To thy breast, to thy glory divine,
Draw me by charity, Mother of mine.
—Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)

LEONARDO DREAMS OF HIS FLYING MACHINE
Eric Whitacre (2002)

Tormented by visions of flight and falling,
More wondrous and terrible each than the last,
Master Leonardo imagines an engine
To carry a man up into the sun…

And as he’s dreaming the heavens call him,
Softly whispering their siren-song:
“Leonardo, Leonardo, vieni à volare.” (“Leonardo, Leonardo, come fly.”)

L’uomo colle sua congiegniate e grandiale, (A man with wings large enough and duly connected)
Facciendo forza contro alla resistente aria. (might learn to overcome the resistance of the air.)

As the candles burn low he paces and writes,
Releasing purchased pigeons one by one by one
Into the golden Tuscan sunrise…

And as he dreams, again the calling,
The very air itself gives voice:
“Leonardo, Leonardo, vieni à volare.” (“Leonardo, Leonardo, come fly.”)
Vicina all’ elemento del fuoco…(Close to the sphere of elemental fire…)
Scratching quill on crumpled paper
Rete, canna, filo, carta. (Net, cane, thread, paper.)
Images of wing and frame and fabric fastened tightly
…sulla suprema sottile aria. (…in the highest and rarest atmosphere.)

As the midnight watchtower tolls,
Over rooftop, street and dome,
The triumph of a human being ascending
In the dreaming of a mortal man.

Leonardo steels himself,
Takes one last breath, and leaps…
“Leonardo vieni à volare! Leonardo, sognare!” (“Leonardo, come fly! Leonardo, dream!”)
—Charles Anthony Silvestri (b. 1965)
(Italian fragments taken from the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci)

WONDROUS LOVE
arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw (1960)

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, O my soul,
When I was sinking down, beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb, who is the great “I am,”
While millions join the theme I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme I will sing.

And when from death I’m free I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And when from death I’m free I’ll sing on,
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
And thro’ eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And thro’ eternity I’ll sing on.
—Traditional

ON THE COMMON GROUND
Alice Parker (2020)

Help me, Lord, find the common ground
between the high and the low, between the poor and the rich,
between the old and the young, between the black and the white.

Help me find the common ground
between the shouting and the silence, between the bound and the free,
between the brief and the joy, between the heart and the mind.

Open us, Lord, guide us to that meeting place,
where we can see each other, hear each other,
care for each other.

Where we can sing together, work together,
play together on the common ground.
come, let us meet together on the common ground.
–Alice Parker

KARIN BOYE’S EVENING PRAYER (AFTONBÖN)
Egil Hovland (1990)

Now I lay me down in silence,
In this still and quiet hour.
Sorrow’s hold on me is fading,
Clamoring voices lose their power.

Take this day which now is ended.
Let me rest until tomorrow,
For I know that you can finish
What I found of joy or sorrow.

All my harmful thoughts and actions,
Heal and make them new and wholesome.
Take my days and make them over.
Come, transform their dust to diamond.

Lift them up and bear them from me,
I will leave them in your keeping.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Let me rest as I am sleeping!
—Karin Boye (1900-1941), translated by Gracia Grindal

 

O VIRGO PRUDENTISSIMA
Sir James MacMillan
Lady Suzi Digby, guest conductor

Sung in Latin
O Virgin most wise,
whom Gabriel, sent from heaven,
messenger of the highest king,
called to witness the one full of grace.

Your son calls you the wife of the maker of all
and the mother of God,
and the blessed spirit
calls you to be a dwelling place.

You are called the star of the sea,
that in between cliffs
and the dark whirlwinds
shows us a haven of salvation.

Through you our ancient fathers
burst forth from the vile prison;
through you the star-bearing gates
are flung wide for us.

Hear, O child-bearing virgin
and mother, who alone are chaste.
Mary, hear your servants
as they pray, we beseech you.

Dispel the gloom of our mind,
break through the ice of our heart.
Under your protection
keep us safe who seek refuge in you.

Alleluia.
—Translation by Edward Tambling

 

RIVER HOLY
Daniel Kantor (2009)

Alone we wander, through darkness roam
River holy, guide us home,
At water’s crossing, the sacred seam
Dawn of freedom we dream.

As lightning shadows what we betray
Rights the journey to the day
When all in shackles go unenslaved,
Hope of longing still saves.

So we must follow the river’s light
Heed its calling through the night,
Whose promise pierces our bleakest strife,
Beckons us to new life.

Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus
Steal away, steal away home, I ain’t got long to be here.
—Original text by Joseph Gryskiewicz and Daniel Kantor,
Steal Away text, traditional

E’EN SO, LORD JESUS, QUICKLY COME
Paul Manz (1953)

Peace be to you and grace from Him
Who freed us from our sins,
Who loved us all and shed His blood
That we might savéd be.

Sing Holy, Holy to our Lord,
The Lord, Almighty God,
Who was and is and is to come;
Sing Holy, Holy Lord!

Rejoice in heaven, all ye that dwell therein,
Rejoice on earth, ye saints below,
For Christ is coming, is coming soon!
E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come,

And night shall be no more;
They need no light nor lamp nor sun,
For Christ will be their All!
—Text arranged from Revelation 22 by Ruth and Paul Manz

THIS HAVE I DONE FOR MY TRUE LOVE
Gustav Holst (1916)

Tomorrow shall be my dancing day,
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance:

Refrain: Sing oh my love, my love, my love,
This have I done for my true love.

Then was I born of a Virgin pure,
Of her I took fleshly substance:
Then was I knit to man’s nature,
To call my true love to my dance: Refrain

In a manger laid and wrapped I was,
So very poor this was my chance,
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass,
To call my true love to my dance: Refrain

Then afterwards baptized I was,
The Holy Ghost on me did glance,
My Father’s voice heard from above,
To call my true love to my dance: Refrain

Into the desert I was led,
Where I fasted without substance:
The Devil bade me make stones my bread,
To have me break my true love’s dance: Refrain

The Jews on me they made great suit,
And with me made great variance
Because some loved darkness better than light
To call my true love to the dance: Refrain

For thirty pence Judas me sold,
His covetousness for to advance;
Mark whom I kiss, the same do hold.
The same is he shall lead the dance: Refrain

Before Pilate the Jews me brought,
When Barabbas had deliverance;
They scourged me and set me at nought,
Judged me to die to lead the dance: Refrain

When on the cross hanged I was;
Where a spear to my heart did glance,
There issued forth both water and blood,
To call my true love to my dance: Refrain

Then down to Hell I took my way,
For my true love’s deliverance,
And rose again on the third day,
Up to my true love and the dance: Refrain

Then up to Heaven I did ascend,
Where now I dwell in sure substance,
On the right hand of God, that all
May come unto the general dance. Refrain
—Old Cornish Poem

For 56 years, VocalEssence has provided opportunities for singers from the Twin Cities area to create incredible music together and build connections as part of the vibrant arts community in Minnesota.

VocalEssence is known for introducing audiences to music and artists who are not yet known, often welcoming guest artists, composers, and conductors who are emerging, have unknown works, or represent a variety of cultures. Welcoming all members of the greater community, VocalEssence embodies the motto: Together We Sing.

VOCALESSENCE MISSION
VocalEssence draws upon the power of singing together to nurture community, inspire creativity, affirm the value of all persons, and expand the influence of choral music.

PHILIP BRUNELLE
Artistic Director and Founder
Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder of VocalEssence 56 years ago, is an internationally-renowned conductor, choral scholar, and visionary. Philip has conducted symphonies, choral festivals, and operas on six continents. He holds five honorary degrees, served 9 years as Vice President of IFCM (International Federation for Choral Music), and has been recognized for his commitment to choral music by the governments of Norway, Hungary, Sweden, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. In 2019, he was awarded the American Prize in Choral Conducting and, in 2020, was given the Honorary Member Award by the Society for American Music. Last fall Philip was appointed a National Arts Associate of the Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity. Philip is also Organist-Choirmaster at Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis. During the pandemic Philip recorded 300 “Musical Moments” which can be accessed at vocalessence.org/category/musical-moments and his thoughts on music are at RenaissanceManpodcast.com. Philip and his wife Carolyn, a studio artist, have 3 children (Tim, Christopher, and Elise) and 7 grandchildren.

G. PHILLIP SHOULTZ, III
Associate Artistic Director
G. Phillip Shoultz, III, associate artistic director, inspires action and fosters community among people of all ages and abilities through song and spoken word. He is Artistic Director of Sing Democracy 250, a national initiative of the Together In Hope Project, and the University of Minnesota Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert. Phillip is Cantor for Worship, Music, and the Arts at Westwood Lutheran Church and serves on the faculty of the University of St. Thomas, where he leads the Graduate Choral Conducting program. Phillip gives voice to the Songs of Freedom series on Minnesota Public Radio and hosts concerts for the Minnesota Orchestra. He creates content for SonoVoice (the Fitbit for voice) and is founder of “Table for More”, a platform addressing issues of innovation, equity, racial justice, and belonging in the arts. Phillip is engaged across the U.S. and beyond as a conductor, clinician, and worship curator/leader. He is published with Galaxy Music and is the winner of numerous honors, including the ACDA Graduate Conducting Competition and multiple Teacher of the Year awards. Phillip lives in St. Louis Park with his wife, Michelle, and their two children (Malachi and Lydia Grace).

ROBERT GRAHAM
Learning and Engagement Manager
Conductor, Vintage Voices
Robert Graham is the Learning and Engagement Manager at VocalEssence where he serves as the conductor for the VocalEssence Vintage Voices choirs, and oversees the renowned VocalEssence WITNESS School Program. Robert has a Master of Music degree in both vocal performance and choral conducting from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and a B.A. in vocal performance from Xavier University of Louisiana. Robert currently sings second tenor in the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and also performs around the Twin Cities as a solo and chamber musician.

CASEY RAFN
Accompanist
Pianist Casey Rafn enjoys a varied career as a collaborative pianist both in the United States and abroad, in Europe and Latin America. He is a member of ‘Trés’, whose saxophone-piano trio was just nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album for their new album “Romance al Campesino Porteño.” Casey often collaborates in concert or recordings with members of the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and University of Minnesota School of Music faculty. As a piano soloist he took top prizes at the International Liszt-Garrison Competition in Baltimore, has appeared with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, and has taught at both the University of Minnesota School of Music and the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Arts.

JOHN JENSEN
Accompanist, VocalEssence Vintage Voices
John Jensen received his music degrees in Southern California, where he attended Occidental College and University of Southern California. While there he free-lanced as a studio musician, playing on the Andy Williams show and touring the country with prominent singers through Columbia Artists Management. He moved to Iowa and taught for 15 years at Grinnell College as an artist-in-residence. In 1990, John moved to St. Paul and has played with VocalEssence, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He plays jazz and classical piano around the area, including performances with the Bloomingtones, a traveling senior choir based in Bloomington, MN. In 2023, John recorded a piano concerto by the late Paul Reale with the Yale Symphony Orchestra at Yale University which was released by Naxos records.

VOCALESSENCE ENSEMBLE SINGERS

The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers have established an international reputation because of their extensive catalog of recordings and broad range of unique repertoire. This chamber choir, whose members hail from a wide variety of professions, is bound together by their skilled artistry to create what The Times of London has described as a “flawless” sound.

SOPRANO
Jennifer Bevington
Katie Boardman
Elsa Buck
Chloe Johnson
JoAnna Johnson
Kathryn Rupp
Mari Scott
Carey Shunskis

ALTO
Robin Joy Helgen
Patty Kramer
Audrey Lane-Getaz
Anna George Meek
Judith McClain Melander
Carolyn Nuelle
Kristina Rodel Sorum
Catherine Terres

TENOR
Will Berendsen
Ben Brunnette
Jared Campbell
Elijah Gatlin-Baumgartner
Robert J. Graham
Jonah Herzog
Andy McCullough
Phil Reilly

BASS
Dakota Hunter Andersen
Joseph Ellickson
David Gindra
Joe Kastner
Erik Krohg
Nathan Petersen-Kindem
Dr. Michael P. Schmidt
Benjamin Shermock

VOCALESSENCE CHORUS

The VocalEssence Chorus is a group of talented and enthusiastic singers from many different walks of life, united by their love of singing and community. Performing a wide variety of musical styles, premiering new works, and sharing the stage with a diverse array of guest artists, the Chorus is a welcome home for singers who wish to continue making music throughout their adult lives.

VOCALESSENCE SINGERS OF THIS AGE

The VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (SOTA) is a community of Twin Cities teenagers engaged in expanding what it means to be a choir and, encouraging a wider circle of participation in the artform. Presenting music ranging from classical to hip-hop, they use creativity and collaboration to build an accepting community, equipped with the skills to lead social change in our society.

VOCALESSENCE VINTAGE VOICES

VocalEssence Vintage Voices is an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults. Guided by a desire to create a welcoming atmosphere and remove barriers for participation, these choirs sing to build community, combat loneliness and isolation, and improve physical and emotional wellbeing.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Daniel Fernelius
President

Valton Henderson
Vice President

Dan Dressen
Secretary

Kristen Hoeschler O’Brien
Treasurer

Carolina Maranon-Cobos
Past-President

Torrie Allen
Tanya M. Bransford
Philip Brunelle
Ben Brunnette
Cassandra Garnett
Brianna Hill
Daniel Kantor
Lisa Merklin Lewis
Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed
Kristine Oberg
Anna Ostroushko
Doug Parish
G. Phillip Shoultz, III
Jeff Smith
Amanda Storm
Timothy C. Takach
Bob Thacker
Mary Tjosvold
Elizabeth Truesdell Smith
Amy Jaine Wielunski

LIFETIME DIRECTORS
Ann Barkelew
Ann Buran
Art Kaemmer*
Nikki Lewis
Mike McCarthy*
Dave Mona
Fred Moore
Don Shelby
Dorene Wernke

HONORARY DIRECTORS
Dominick Argento*
William Bolcom
Dave Brubeck*
Stewart Copeland
Aaron Copland*
Håkan Hagegård
Louise Heffelfinger*
Eskil Hemberg*
Betty Hulings*
Sigrid Johnson*
James Earl Jones*
Garrison Keillor
Sir James MacMillan
Donald Mitchell*
Helmuth Rilling
John Rutter
Peter Schickele
Dr. André J. Thomas
Eric Whitacre
*In remembrance

VOCALESSENCE STAFF

ARTISTIC STAFF
Philip Brunelle
Artistic Director and Founder

G. Phillip Shoultz, III
Associate Artistic Director

Robert Graham
Learning and Engagement Manager | Conductor, Vintage Voices

Casey Rafn
Accompanist

John Jensen
Accompanist, Vintage Voices

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Azure Anderson
Executive Assistant

Jeff Bina
Director of Finance and Operations

Rhiannon Fiskradatz
Learning and Engagement Manager

Laura Holst
Development and Marketing Associate

Emma Jirele Sandhurst
Engagement and Communications Manager

Ethan Johnson
Director of Artistic Operations

Amanda Timmer
Director of Marketing and Communications

Amy Jaine Wielunski
Executive Director

VocalEssence has a large group of committed supporters and is honored by the many gifts received in memory, appreciation, and celebration of friends and family that are too many to list in this concert program.

Please click the button below to see a full list of supporters and special tributes.

VocalEssence Supporters

Philip Brunelle 80th Birthday Campaign Donors
Margaret Chutich and Penny Wheeler
Linda Hoeschler and Peter Blyberg
Nick Nash and Karen Lundholm
Remele Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation
Herve and Jennifer Sarteau
Cay Shea
David and Ruth Waterbury