For Artistic Director Philip Brunelle, the end of the concert season with our Bob Dylan tribute was a festive conclusion to season 50! Now we are in the midst of finalizing plans for season 51 and beyond. The month of May is also filled with auditions – about 50 hours’ worth. Each year those in the Ensemble Singers must re-audition (as well as those wishing to be considered) and Chorus members must re-audition every 2 years (as well as those wishing to join).

Other May activities for Artistic Director Philip Brunelle include the VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! concert on May 21, planning the memorial program for President Hasselmo at McNamara Center, and the memorial concert for Dominick Argento in mid-June. An important event this month is the interviews to replace Andrew Alness (Artistic Assistant and Production Manager) who will be moving to Baltimore – big shoes to fill for someone who has been doing amazing work behind the scenes! In early June Philip will travel to London for composer meetings as well as visits in Cambridge with John Rutter and Stephen Cleobury. Then Philip and his wife Carolyn will enjoy a week in Wales and on the Isle of Man…back in time for the Argento tribute on June 18.

Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III just returned from Canada where he led 400 high school voices in song at the Ontario Christian Choral Festival. He’s visiting our partner schools and rehearsing with VocalEssence Singers Of This Age as we make final preparations for our VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Community concert at the end of the month. Several members of VocalEssence Singers Of This Age are also coming to rehearsal 2-3 times a week as the chorus from the premiere of Reinaldo Moya’s chamber opera, Tienda, which will be presented on May 23 and May 25. VocalEssence Singers Of This Age also has a great month of June planned as we prepare for the first of two week-long intensive summer camps and to prepare for major gigs sponsored by Global Minnesota and Orchestra Hall. The summer months are also a time of travel, planning, and teaching for Phillip, so stay tuned for the next edition to learn more about his exciting summer plans.