Conductors' Corner September 2022

Philip Brunelle:

The 54^th VocalEssence season is in full swing and Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director, is delighted to be rehearsing the Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn music with the Ensemble Singers and the Chorus, preparing for the October 15 opening concert of the season, The Mendelssohns. On September 18 he was inducted into the membership of Sigma Alpha Iota as a National Arts Associate, a rare occasion for a man being initiated into this national women’s organization!

Philip did his part to invite folks (4 tables!) to attend the VocalEssence Gala 2022. He also attracted some unique silent auction items (such as playing the pipe organ at Northrop Auditorium and finding a condo to view the Aquatennial fireworks next July).

On September 26 he left for Barcelona where he is spending time at the Montserrat Abbey, meeting with the Abbey staff and listening to the Montserrat Boychoir–who will be appearing on the VocalEssence season at the Basilica of St. Mary on November 11. Not to be missed! Click the button below to purchase your tickets.

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G. Phillip Shoultz, III:

Associate Artistic Director G. Phillip Shoultz, III has spent the month of September restarting all of our learning and engagement initiatives and choirs. In addition to connecting with schools and teachers to recruit new members of VESOTA, GPS is in the process of creating a new music program at Longfellow School for Pregnant and Parenting Teens, thanks to our most recent Chorus America grant. He is also connecting organizations and community members from North Minneapolis and the West side of Saint Paul as we prepare to implement neighborhood workshops and performances as part of our Margaret A. Cargill program funding. In addition to our Mendelssohns concert on October 15, GPS is preparing to lead Tenor-Bass Festivals for both Metro West Conference High School choirs and Anoka-Hennepin High School choirs. He will work with over 300 young people during these two workshops. He is also leading conversations around diversity, equity, and choral inclusion for the Boston Choral Ensemble and providing mentorship to the members of 29:11 International Exchange.