Philip Brunelle:
This month has been memorable in many ways for Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director. With the VERY successful completion of the Bridge to the Future campaign where we reached our $4.5 million goal, we celebrated with a reception at the home of Cay Shea on a beautiful June evening. Several days later Philip performed at the Guthrie Theater at beautiful remembrance for Barbara Bryne, one of the Guthrie’s great stars and a performer for VocalEssence in the early days.
Of course, plans for the 55th season continue in solidifying the roster of singers, ordering the music, and confirming the many details for the performing venues.
Philip spent a delightful morning in late June visiting with Dr. Reatha Clark King, whose book Find a Trail or Blaze One has just been published. The book includes a wonderful section about her involvement with the VocalEssence WITNESS program from its beginning. What an amazing life Reatha has had!
A big day for Philip was July 1 when he turned 80 (is that possible?). The VocalEssence celebration for him will happen in August, but for now Plymouth Congregational Church (where he celebrates his 54th year as organist-director) gave him a big Sunday noon party. The number of cards and emails from all parts of the USA and beyond was marvelous. In mid-July he celebrated the date with his wife Carolyn, his 3 children and their spouses, and 7 grandchildren at a Minnesota resort.
His annual Summer Music Series at Plymouth Congregational Church began on July 11 with a program featuring his friends Sanford Moore, Dennis Spears, and Greta Oglesby. So, nothing is slowing down for the maestro!
