Returning from a VERY successful series of 4 concerts in Mexico City with the Ensemble Singers, Philip Brunelle immediately plunged into rehearsals for his 51st VocalEssence season as well as planning a number of special events for the fall and winter (with lots of meetings!).  Following the opening Retreat rehearsal the Ensemble Singers presented a triumphant “return from Mexico City” concert at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie.

On September 30 an octet of singers will join Philip for a special “pop up choir” as Land O’Lakes kicks off its annual United Way fund drive at their Arden Hills campus.  Of course, the big focus for the Ensemble Singers now is preparing for the opening concert of the season, Divine Light, to be presented in a new concert space–the Summit Center in St. Paul.  This is a concert not to be missed!

September is always an adventure for Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III (GPS). This year, the month opened the VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (VESOTA) singing 6 dynamic performances at the Minnesota State Fair. Now that school is back in session, Phillip devotes the majority of his time to school visits, and personal meetings with students and their families as he recruits the newest group of VESOTA singers! Additionally, GPS is preparing to lead the WITNESS Teaching Artist retreat and Teacher Orientation and our newly re-configured ReMix program with four talented emerging Minnesota composers. Later this month, Phillip flies to Pittsburgh to connect with choral arts colleagues and lead choral workshops, retreats, and worship services.