Link to the full story at startribune.com

With Garrison Keillor as MC, showman Philip Brunelle pulled out all of the stops to celebrate his choral group's longevity.

By WILLIAM RANDALL BEARD, Special to the Star Tribune
Last update: September 16, 2008 - 6:43 AM

VocalEssence kicked off its 40th season Sunday with a bash at Orchestra Hall that only the most soulless curmudgeon could find dissatisfying.

Lesser-known works give a more complete view of the famed composer's wide-ranging talent.
By WILLIAM RANDALL BEARD, Special to the Star Tribune

For 18 years, VocalEssence's annual Witness concerts have celebrated the work of African-American composers. This year's edition, seen Sunday afternoon at the Ordway, was titled "The Duke Ellington Effect" and turned out to be a first-rate entertainment.

By Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press

Fresh or familiar? How do you like your holiday arts offerings?

Do you prefer to wrap yourself in a warm, comfortable collection of memories or discover new insights in old themes?

The show featured a world premiere that had no holiday connection, but was intense and heartfelt.

By William Randall Beard, Special to the Star Tribune

September 8, 2007
William Randall Beard
StarTribune

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra opened its season this weekend at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts with a novelty: excerpts from Beethoven's opera "Leonore," an early version of his more familiar "Fidelio."

Along with Mendelssohn's symphony-cantata "Hymn of Praise," featuring VocalEssence, the season got off to an appropriately celebratory start.

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