MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (April 11,
2012) — VocalEssence is honored to
host Chorus America’s 35th Annual
Conference in Minneapolis, the “land of 10,000 choirs.” Running June 13-June 16, 2012, the conference
will feature many performances by some of the region’s best ensembles, with an
overabundance of concerts open to the public.

The musical feast will kick-off
with a remarkable Opening Gala Concert at
Orchestra Hall on June 13th (8 pm). The performance will feature works by
Minnesota composers performed by 10 ensembles, as well as the Minnesota Youth Choir Consortium of
more than 200 young voices, culminating with the world premiere of a new work
by Stephen Paulus. Tickets for the
Opening Gala Concert are $13.50-$43.50. For tickets and information, call
612-371-5656 or visit www.vocalessence.org.

The 2012 Chorus America Conference is loaded with artistic experiences
that showcase the wealth of choral talent to which Minnesota can justly lay
claim. The featured concerts will introduce audiences to centuries of music and
contemporary composers. From early music to bluegrass, from chamber ensembles
to a massed choir of 500, this year’s Conference performances will satisfy all
and will be sure to leave a lasting impression.

The Opening Gala Concert on June 13 will
be a celebration of over 20 of Minnesota’s finest composers and feature a
number of the region’s wonderful choral organizations, including VocalEssence, Magnum Chorum, Minnesota
Chorale, The Singers, Cantus, One Voice Mixed Chorus, National Lutheran Choir,
Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester, and the Minnesota Youth Choir Consortium, more than 200 young singers conducted by
MacAuthur Fellow Francisco
Núñez. The performance will culminate
with the world premiere of “When Music Sounds,” a new commission from composer
Stephen Paulus, to be sung by a massed choir of singers from the featured
ensembles — more than 500 voices!

The general public is invited
to enjoy the many concerts being featured at the Chorus America Conference:

Chorus America – Gala Opening Concert
Orchestra
Hall, Minneapolis
June
13; 8pm
TICKETS:
$13.50-$43.50; available at www.vocalessence.org

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass
VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Monroe Crossing
Central
Lutheran Church
June
14; 8pm
TICKETS:
$20; available at www.vocalessence.org

Cantus and The Rose Ensemble
St.
Olaf Church
June
15; 1:45pm – 3:00pm
TICKETS:
$20; available at www.roseensemble.org

Magnum Chorum and The Singers
Hoversten
Chapel, Augsburg College
June
16; 12:05pm – 1:05pm
TICKETS:
details available at www.magnumchorum.org & www.singersmca.org

Hymn Festival with the National Lutheran
Choir
Central
Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
June
16; 5:30pm – 7:00pm
TICKETS:
Free; details at www.nlca.com

The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers will be reprising an audience favorite, The
World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass, on Thursday, June 14th (8 pm) at
Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. 
Monroe Crossing will join the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers to perform
Carol Barnett’s The World Beloved: A
Bluegrass Mass in this concert which is open to the public. The concert
will also feature Dominick Argento’s Walden
Pond and the world premiere of a new work by Paul Rudoi, commissioned through the VocalEssence Essentially Choral program with funding
from the Jerome Foundation. General
admission tickets are $20. For tickets and information, call 612-371-5656 or
visit www.vocalessence.org.

For additional information
about VocalEssence or the Chorus America Conference & Concerts, contact
Malia Cole (mcole@vocalessence.org, 612-547-1459). For conference schedules and
details visit www.chorusamerica.org/conf2012.