VocalEssence Strategic Plan 2022-2025

Pie Chart with three strategic imperatives: 1. Expand the Influence of Choral Music 2. Bridge Societal Difference 3. Ensure Sustainability At the center: Celebrate Singing as Essential Human Expression

VocalEssence celebrates singing as an essential human expression. Artistic quality, passion for singing together, and reputation for engaging people are hallmarks of our impact.

As our community changes, we have developed this strategic plan to address our future in three key areas, keeping singing together at the center of our work.

STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 1: EXPAND THE INFLUENCE OF CHORAL MUSIC

Purpose: Emergence of mission-driven singing ensembles and new performance models introduces competition for singer recruitment/retention and audience growth.

Image of a chart showing goals and objectives for strategic imperative number one containing the following text: Goal 1.1: Ensure a compelling singer experience. Objective 1.1: Provide creative growth opportunities for all singing ensembles and create connections among and between all VocalEssence singers. Goal 1.2: Ensure a compelling audience experience. Objective 1.2: Program music representing a variety of styles, cultures, and themes and engage audiences beyond the traditional concert format. Goal 1.3: Commit to creation and performance of new works. Objective 1.3: Develop opportunities for co-creation and new commissions. Goal 1.4: Feature artists and perform works honoring the global majority. Objective 1.4: Expand representation of artists of the global majority.

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•  Students from Albert Lea, Robbinsdale-Armstrong, and St. Michael Albertville high schools joined the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, Chorus, Singers Of This Age, and orchestra for a celebration of music of the Mendelssohns at the opening concert of the 2022-2023 season.
Click the button below to watch Richte mich, Gott (Judge Me, O God), Op. 78, No. 2, by Felix Mendelssohn (1843).
RICHTE MICH, GOTT

•  Welcome Christmas 2022 and the January singer retreat were milestones as the first time all four VocalEssence ensembles, Chorus, Ensemble Singers, Singers Of This Age, and Vintage Voices, performed and gathered together.
Click the button below to watch this milestone performance.
WELCOME CHRISTMAS 2022

•  Reconcile: Singing Hope Into the World brought VocalEssence Singers Of This Age together with singers of all ages to build bridges between communities and celebrate their humanity with love.
Click the button below to read more about this event.
RECONCILE: SINGING HOPE INTO THE WORLD

• The Urban Choir Festival celebrated its third year and engaged 46 high school students from 6 urban metro area high schools.

Urban Choir Festival 2022 Participants

STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 2: BRIDGE SOCIETAL DIFFERENCE

Purpose: Conscious development of equitable opportunities in our society serves as a catalyst for new conversations about how to address disparities.

Image of a chart showing goals and objectives for strategic imperative number two containing the following text: Goal 2.1: Look and operate in ways that reflect the changing demographics of Minnesota. Objective 2.1: Deepen relationships with constituents that connect us to historically marginalized communities and members of the global majority. Goal 2.2: Ensure the value of many voices and perspectives. Objective 2.2: Welcome voices and perspectives that create connection across dimensions of difference. Goal 2.3: External relationships will be collaborative, responsive to community needs, and reflective of community perspectives. Objective 2.3: Deepen relationships that connect us to communities that further our commitment to bridging societal differences.

 

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• VocalEssence is partnering with catering and merchandise companies led by primarily Black owners.

• VocalEssence is a sponsor of Chorus America’s Choral Executive Leadership Academy which will identify and support the next generation of administrative leaders who have been marginalized because of race or identity.
Click the button below to read more about this initiative.
Choral Executive Leadership Academy

• On the Rise: Joe Davis Birthday Concert is an example of a partnership between VocalEssence and artists from cultures and musical styles representing and celebrating the global majority.

Image of Joe Davis in front of an orange background
On the Rise: Joe Davis Birthday Concert Promotional Flyer

STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 3: ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY

Purpose: Respond to generational shifts in donor priorities in the areas of social justice, inclusion, access, and equity.

Image of a chart showing goals and objectives for strategic imperative number three containing the following text: Goal 3.1: Allocate resources toward amplifying under-represented voices. Objective 3.1: Invest in voices from historically marginalized communities. Goal 3.2: Engage with both legacy and new audiences. Objective 3.2: Realign how we engage with audiences. Goal 3.3: Engage constituencies to support sustainability. Objective 3.3: Develop strategies engage new, recapture past, and retain singers, audiences, and donors. Goal 3.4: Ensure financial resources are adequate to realize programmatic efforts. Objective 3.4: Implement thoughtful asset allocation and secure new funding sources. Goal 3.5: Ensure human resources are adequate. Objective 3.5: Align or reallocate staff resources to ensure program implementation.

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•  We met our Bridge to the Future Campaign goal of $4.5 million through the generosity of 101 individual and institutional donors.
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Bridge to the Future Campaign

• Six young alumni are participating as mentors with VocalEssence Singers Of This Age members, encouraging lifelong participation in choral singing.

Members of 2022-2023 VocalEssence Singers Of This Age pose for a group photo
Members of 2022-2023 VocalEssence Singers Of This Age, photo credit: Rhiannon Fiskradatz