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VOCALESSENCE FOUNDER PHILIP BRUNELLE CELEBRATES TWO MILESTONES WITH CONCERT FEATURING MUSIC OF HIS MOST BELOVED COMPOSERS
“Philip’s Favorites” concert features music from Dominick Argento, John Rutter, Libby Larsen, and more old friends–at the American Swedish Institute, Feb. 4th

MINNEAPOLIS—October 2, 2023—Singing and birthday celebrations go together like cake and ice cream, and if you are VocalEssence founder and artistic director Philip Brunelle, your 80th birthday is bound to explode with joyous music from the choral community! With the concert Philip’s Favorites, VocalEssence pays tribute to Philip and his 55 years of leadership with a program featuring works from composers who have touched his life and have a special connection to the VocalEssence family.

“Keeping choral music alive, relevant, and vital has been central to our mission at VocalEssence,” says Brunelle, “and we’re so proud of the composers who have worked with us over 55 years on 300 plus original commissions to show where the art we love is headed next. VocalEssence is a proud local organization, but our impact has been global because of our creative connections with generations of talented choral composers. Every step, from the 1973 commission of Dominick Argento’s Jonah and the Whale to bringing Melanie DeMore into local school classrooms with the VocalEssence WITNESS program, has been absolutely thrilling. Of course, if I had my way, a ‘Philip’s Favorites’ concert would be 72 hours, nonstop–but, maybe next year!”

The program includes the works of Dominick Argento, Stephen Paulus, John Rutter, Libby Larsen, Melanie DeMore, Eric Whitacre, and more. The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers will also perform “A Farewell to Arms” by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett featuring Anthony Ross, cellist, and Casey Rafn, pianist, with Philip Brunelle conducting.

The Philip’s Favorites concert on February 4, 2024, will have a 4 pm performance and a 7 pm performance, both at Larson Hall in the American Swedish Institute at 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis. Single tickets are available online now.  Tickets are also available as part of a VocalEssence Season Subscription package.

Press images are available here.

VocalEssence, the choral organization Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones says “sings magnificently,” provides opportunities that draw upon the power of singing together to nurture community, inspire creativity, affirm the value of all persons, and expand the impact of choral music. The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers have established an international reputation because of their extensive catalog of recordings and broad range of unique repertoire. This chamber choir, whose members hail from a wide variety of professions, is bound together by their skilled artistry to create what The Times of London has described as a “flawless” sound. VocalEssence was founded in 1969 and through its performance series has debuted more than 300 commissions and world premieres. VocalEssence Learning & Engagement programs help people of all ages bridge, create, and learn across cultures by connecting them with renowned choral experts to provide exceptional role models, grow community self-esteem, self-expression, and engagement. For more information, visit www.vocalessence.org.

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