Philip Brunelle:
Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle is working on creating a digital library of all the composers featured on Musical Moments with the help of intern Blake Wieseler from St. Olaf College. Since Musical Moments began in March of 2020, almost 300 composers who have been central to the success of VocalEssence have been featured! The digital library of the composers will include a bio, photo, and compositions selected by Philip.
Also, in late June, intern Aaron Schondorf from Carleton College will arrive to assist Philip for two months with major cataloging of the choral collection here. This summer cataloging project will focus on our extensive libraries of African American music and orchestral parts, and on creating a new library for the single choral copies housed here.
On July 4, Philip will ring the Liberty Bell at the State Capitol, assisted by Maria Jette with the Plymouth Church handbell choir. On July 6, the free Summer Music Series begins–this year, due to the pandemic, it will be held in the Plymouth Congregational Church parking lot. Philip is grateful to Vern Sutton for creating a marvelous program celebrating music from Broadway during the 1930s of the “New Deal” directed by Sonja Thompson, with Maria Jette, Lisa Drew, Dan Dressen, and Bradley Greenwald.
G. Phillip Shoultz, III:
Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III just recently completed the highly regarded Voices Rising: A Choral Affirmation of Black Lives project with a consortium of twelve Twin Cities area choirs for the opening of the Chorus America conference. The program garnered tremendous accolades locally and throughout the nation.
Phillip is currently in North Carolina, where he is spending two weeks on the faculty of the Montreat Conferences on Worship and Music. He is leading an adult choir of 250 and an intergenerational auditioned chamber choir.
Next week, week he travels to Georgia to visit family and celebrate his 12th wedding anniversary with Michelle, before heading back to Minnesota to teach graduate conducting at the University of St.Thomas.