Where in the World Are the Conductors? August 2023

Philip Brunelle:

This month has been full of celebrations for Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director. On August 14, the rain stopped and the clouds parted as 120 of Philip’s closest friends joined him in celebrating his 80th birthday at the home of Marilyn Carlson Nelson. It was a wonderful celebration of food, singing, and memories.

Philip then continued his celebrations with a trip to Brittany, France where he saw the spectacular Carnac and its three thousand menhirs that stand from the Neolithic and Bronze ages. It is similar to Stonehenge, only much larger. He will finish off the month with a trip to New York and Vermont and then, as September begins, so does the start of the 55th season!

Philip Brunelle, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, and Carolyn Brunelle at Philip's 80th Birthday Party. Photo credit: Bruce Silcox
Representative Betty McCollum speaks at Philip's 80th Birthday Party. Photo credit: Bruce Silcox
Don Shelby, Maria Jette, and Bradley Greenwald perform at Philip's 80th Birthday Party. Photo credit: Bruce Silcox
VocalEssence singers conducted by G. Phillip Shoultz, III, perform for Philip. Photo credit: Bruce Silcox

Philip Brunelle laughs at a joke during the program. Photo credit: Bruce Silcox

G. Phillip Shoultz, III:

Associate Artistic Director G. Phillip Shoultz, III (GPS) wrapped up the month of July with teaching three graduate level music education courses at the University of St. Thomas for the fifth summer in a row. GPS entered August with a bang as he prepared a full BBQ meal for ten folks as part of the VocalEssence Gala and led VocalEssence Singers Of This Age members in performances at the Southern Theater with Joe Davis and at Keystone Community Services’ first annual KeysFest event. The middle of August was all about his annual sojourn to Georgia to visit family and friends. August comes to a close with VocalEssence Singers Of This Age performing at the State Fair and Let Freedom Ring, a concert GPS conceived and curated with community partners to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington.

GPS with Barbara Dorsey, his first choir director. He soloed in the church choir at age 3.