VocalEssence

VocalEssence
  • Who We Are
    • About VocalEssence
    • Performing Ensembles
    • Staff
    • Collaborators
    • Board of Directors
      • VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Advisory Council
      • VocalEssence WITNESS Advisory Council
    • Bridging Societal Difference
  • What We Do
    • Why Sing?
    • Concerts and Events
    • Celebrating Black Excellence
    • Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle
    • Learning and Engagement Programs
    • Contests and Awards
    • Commissioning and Recording
    • Accessibility
  • Stories & Results
    • #vesotashareshope
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • GPS & Friends
    • Bridging Societal Difference
    • Musical Moments
    • Performing Ensembles
    • Schools & Education
    • Take 5 with GPS
    • Together We Sing
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
      • Bridge to the Future Campaign
    • Engage a Choir
    • Sing with Us
    • Join the Board
    • Volunteer
    • Work at VocalEssence
  • Login
  • On Demand
  • Buy Tickets
  • Donate
Search
More...

Where in the World are the Conductors – February 2021

February 10, 2021

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • email

Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III are hard at work this month preparing for a multitude of upcoming performances.

Philip Brunelle

The month of February is filled with rehearsals for our next concert, Call of the North; how wonderful to have the Ensemble Singers back together! The concert (to be aired on March 28) includes the music of 10 Minnesota composers and 5 Minnesota poets, with each of the poets reading from their own writing. As you can imagine, the music of the 10 composers is varied and delightful – and we are filming in a new venue…the IDS Crystal Court!

Another big event this month will occur on February 24 when Philip celebrates the 200th Musical Moment. “I am amazed that so many composers have been feature and all of them having had their music heard on a VocalEssence concert or Plymouth Church service…or both! I am indebted to son Tim who has been my videographer from Day #1; he felt that the 200th program should feature several composers who have never been part of VocalEssence or Plymouth…and never will be! So, tune in to hear some ‘unique’ music that day!”

G. Phillip Shoultz, III

Phillip hit the ground running in 2021 with the premiere of the second concert in the VESOTA series, Believe and also in returning to serve as artistic director, curator, and host for the University of Minnesota Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert. This year’s program marked the 40th Anniversary of the program and Phillip’s adaptation to the virtual format was well received as the video received well over 3,000 views on the YouTube and Facebook platforms.

He continues to convene and facilitate conversations around access, equity, inclusion, and diversity in the arts with colleagues, leaders, and singers from all across the country, including upcoming training sessions that he will lead with the ACDA-MN Board of Directors and lectures that he will present for Temple University, the University of Oregon, the Newburyport Choral Society, and NATS Boston.

The month of February also brings with it two presentations for the Minnesota Music Educators Association Mid-Winter Conference, leading a Daily Sing session for the Chorus America February Conference, and an unexpected return to the podium for the Minnesota All-State Choirs, where Phillip was called in at “the eleventh hour” to create a meaningful virtual experience for the students.

Phillip is most proud of the newest venture for the daily livestream, Take 5 with GPS, which is highlighting Black genius by sharing the stories of amazing individuals whose inventions and creativity have positively impacted our way of life, even though we hear very little about their work. 28 Days of Black Excellence has resonated with the public as viewership for the 300+ episode show has increased dramatically since the beginning of this series.

Posted in: Together We Sing

Recent Stories

  • NEA Statement April 7, 2025
  • VocalEssence Holiday Programming 2024 December 16, 2024
  • VocalEssence Welcomes New Board Members November 12, 2024
  • Black-Owned Business and Artist Showcase April 23, 2024
  • Healing Beats Sessions March 21, 2024

Musical Moments

  • #inspiration
  • 2020
  • Argentinan Composers
  • Australian Composers
  • Basque Composers
  • Black Composers
  • Bradley Greenwald
  • British Composers
  • Canadian Composers
  • choir
  • Clara Osowski
  • Composers from Minnesota
  • Composers of the 17th 18th and 19th Centuries
  • Composers of the Early-Mid 20th Century
  • Composers of the Late 20th-21st Century
  • composing
  • concerts
  • Czech Composers
  • Dan Dressen
  • Dutch Composers
  • Early-mid 20th Century
  • Eastern European Composers
  • French Composers
  • German and Austrian Composers
  • Hungarian Composers
  • Italian Composers
  • Late 20th-21st Century
  • Latin American Composers
  • Maria Jette
  • Mexican composers
  • planning
  • Portuguese Composers
  • repertoire
  • Russian Composers
  • Scandinavian Composers
  • Scottish Composers
  • South American Composers
  • Spanish Composers
  • Swiss Composers
  • United States Composers
  • Women Composers
  • About Us
    • About VocalEssence
    • Press Room
    • Annual Report
    • Financial Information
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • VocalEssence COVID Protocols
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Sing with Us
    • Volunteer
    • Work at VocalEssence
  • Connect
    • Email Sign Up
    • Contact Us/Location
    • Chorus Connection
    • VocalEssence Board Login
  • VocalEssence
  • 1900 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
  • Phone: 612-547-1451
  • Fax: 612-547-1484
  • info@vocalessence.org
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 VocalEssence. All rights reserved.

https://www.vocalessence.org/where-in-the-world-are-the-conductors-february-2021

This website uses cookies for necessary functions and to enhance your browsing experience.

Accept & Continue