Capsule:

WITNESS Community Concert: Duke Ellington on the Air
Sunday, February 24, 2008, pm
Hopkins High School Auditorium, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka, MN
Tickets: $12 adults, $8 children 17 and younger
Seating is general admission, all ages are welcome.
To order: 612-624-2345 or ww.vocalessence.org

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (February 11, 2008) — Every year since 1991, conductor Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence have focused on the classical music of African American composers and performers in the annual VocalEssence WITNESS concert. This year, for the first time, VocalEssence will present a WITNESS Community Concert that is open to all ages—perfect for the whole family!

The spotlight will shine on the music and impact of Duke Ellington — not only a great performer and bandleader, but also considered of the most important composers in jazz history. The Community Concert takes place at Hopkins High School Auditorium (2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka, MN) on Sunday, February 24 at 4 pm. For advance tickets, call
612-624-2345 or visit www.vocalessence.org.

The community concert will be presented in the format of an old-time radio program called Duke Ellington on the Air, complete with sound effects by Tom Keith (of A Prairie Home Companion) and Sanford Moore as master of ceremonies. The highlight will be music from Ellington’s “Sacred Concerts” — a fusion of jazz, classical music, choral music, spirituals, gospel and blues featuring Dennis Spears as baritone soloist…and the unusual combination of the full VocalEssence Chorus and tap dancer!

Augsburg College Music Department Chair Robert Stacke is directing the “big band”-style orchestra, which includes high school, college and professional players. The High School All Star Jazz Band features talented high school students from Roosevelt, Henry, Washburn and Southwest High Schools in Minneapolis and Walker West Music Academy in Saint Paul. They will be joined by the Augsburg Jazz Ensemble. Professional instrumentalists Larry Sims (trumpet) and David Wright III (saxophone/clarinet) are serving as mentors to the college and high school performers and will play alongside them in the big band orchestra.

For public information and tickets for WITNESS Community Concert, call 612-624-2345. For press information and photographs, contact Katryn Conlin (612-547-1457, kconlin@vocalessence.org). High resolution photos can be downloaded from:

https://www.vocalessence.org/image/tid/42

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