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September 2017
OLLI CLASS: Finlandia Forever
This year marks 100 years of independence for Finland. Philip Brunelle (VocalEssence) and Mark Sedio (Central Lutheran) will fill you with LOTS of interesting stories and play music that will give you a rich understanding of Finland's choral music history. In order to sign up for this session, you must be a member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Learn more and sign up at: https://olli.umn.edu/osher-lifelong-learning-institute/membership
Find out more »CONCERT: Finlandia Forever, 4 PM
Advance ticket sales for this event are now closed. Reserved seating is sold out, but $20 standing room tickets will be available to purchase at the door beginning at 3:00 PM. VocalEssence Ensemble Singers Osmo Vänskä, clarinet Sara Pajunen, fiddle While the land of the midnight sun has long been known for refreshingly bright ideas—from saunas to cell phones—its musical contributions are equally innovative. Favorite Finns Osmo Vänskä and Sara Pajunen will help us celebrate 100 years of Finnish independence,…
Find out more »CONCERT: Finlandia Forever, 7 PM
Advance ticket sales for this event are now closed. Tickets are still available and may be purchased at the door beginning at 6:00 PM. VocalEssence Ensemble Singers Osmo Vänskä, clarinet Sara Pajunen, fiddle While the land of the midnight sun has long been known for refreshingly bright ideas—from saunas to cell phones—its musical contributions are equally innovative. Favorite Finns Osmo Vänskä and Sara Pajunen will help us celebrate 100 years of Finnish independence, performing music of Sibelius, Rautavaara, Mäntyjärvi, Saariaho,…
Find out more »October 2017
EVENT: MPR’s 50th Anniversary Block Party
Join us on Saturday, October 7 for this free, family-friendly celebration of Minnesota Public Radio’s 50th anniversary with live music, food trucks, art activities and more. Singers from VocalEssence will perform from 6-6:30 PM on the Landmark Plaza Stage in downtown Saint Paul (in between performances by The Steeles and Dessa!) MPR 50th Anniversary Block Party Entertainment Schedule 3:30-4 p.m. Native Pride Dancerst, Hamm Plaza Stage 4-4:30 p.m. Minnesota Percussion Trio, Landmark Plaza Stage 4:30-5 p.m. Walker West Music Academy,…
Find out more »November 2017
OLLI CLASS: Bach & Bluegrass
The 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and the importance of the music of J.S. Bach celebrating this event is linked with Carol Barnett and her new "Bluegrass TeDeum". Join Philip Brunelle and composer Carol Barnett as they share their enthusiasm joining Bach to Bluegrass! In order to sign up for this session, you must be a member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Learn more and sign up at: https://olli.umn.edu/osher-lifelong-learning-institute/membership
Find out more »OPEN REHEARSAL: Bach & Bluegrass Jamboree
Come and see behind the scenes of Bach & Bluegrass Jamboree at our final dress rehearsal with VocalEssence, Monroe Crossing, and the Minnetonka High School Treble Choir. We will rehearse some of Bach’s most jubilant music alongside gospel bluegrass tunes and Carol Barnett and Marisha Chamberlain's Mortals & Angels: A Bluegrass Te Deum with Monroe Crossing and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers. Be prepared for stops and starts as we refine our performance. Tickets are $10 each and will be available at the…
Find out more »CONCERT CONVERSATION: Bach & Bluegrass Jamboree
Join us for a concert conversation with composer Carol Barnett, members of Monroe Crossing, and Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III.
Find out more »CONCERT: Bach & Bluegrass Jamboree
This Event is currently Sold Out A limited number of standing room tickets will be available for purchase at the door for $10 each. Ticket sales and will-call will open at Roseville Lutheran Church at 6:30 PM. We have also opened the final rehearsal on Thursday, November 9, 2017 for public attendance. Tickets for the open rehearsal are $10 each and can be purchased at the door. More information about the open rehearsal can be found here. VocalEssence Chorus…
Find out more »COMMUNITY SING: Bach’s Mighty Fortress
Advance registration for this event is now closed. Registration at the door will open at 9:15 AM on Saturday at Roseville Lutheran Church. A link to download or view the music can be found below. Sing the songs of a German master! Join us for a morning of fellowship and song performing Bach’s Cantata No. 80 – Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God) as well as other Bach chorales and choruses to celebrate 500…
Find out more »BROADCAST: Dreams of the Fallen: Coming Home
"Dreams of the Fallen: Coming Home" is a musical tribute to the men and women we honor each Veterans Day. Hosted by Steve Seel, the special's centerpiece is the short masterwork of the same title by young American composer Jake Runestad. The work sets the poetry of Iraq war veteran Brian Turner, and features pianist Jeffrey Biegel, the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and VocalEssence. Runestad's and Turner's works combine in this deeply moving exploration of experiences familiar to many veterans: returning…
Find out more »VINTAGE VOICES: Parkshore Senior Community Vintage Voices Concert
Come and experience the sounds of the Parkshore Senior Community in Songs of Love and Life, an exciting program featuring selections of jazz, American folk songs, classical and more! Free and open to the public. Reception to follow. Parkshore Senior Community is a partner of the VocalEssence Vintage Voices program, an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults by fostering the creation of choirs in residential assisted living communities and senior centers. Click here for more information.…
Find out more »VINTAGE VOICES: Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley Vintage Voices Concert
Come and experience the sounds of Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley in Songs of Love and Life, an exciting program featuring selections of jazz, American folk songs, classical and more! Free and open to the public. Reception to follow. Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley is a partner of the VocalEssence Vintage Voices program, an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults by fostering the creation of choirs in residential assisted living communities and senior centers. Click here…
Find out more »EVENT: VocalEssence ReMix Performance
Looking for new music? Looking for composers to commission? Refresh your repertoire at VocalEssence ReMix. Hear choral premieres for developing and advanced ensembles by emerging Minnesota composers performed by the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers. VocalEssence ReMix encourages breakout musical artists-whether you sing in a rock band or play classical music-to write for voice. Four talented, emerging composers/songwriters are selected annually to have a six-month one-on-one composer mentorship with renowned composers Libby Larsen, Carol Barnett, J. David Moore, or Timothy Takach as they each write two choral…
Find out more »EVENT: ACDA-MN Performance
The VocalEssence Chorus is honored to be selected to perform at the prestigious American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota Annual Conference. Selections from the performance will include the "Processional from The Masque of Angels" by Dominick Argento, "Alleluia" by Jake Runestad, and "August, lebe, lebe, König!" by Johann Sebastian Bach. Special guests will include members of the bluegrass quintet Monroe Crossing. https://issuu.com/vocalessence/docs/ve_fallprogram2017_final
Find out more »December 2017
CONCERT: Welcome Christmas, Apple Valley
Advance sales for this performance are now closed. Plenty of tickets are still available and can be purchased at the door beginning at 6:30 PM. VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers There’s no place like home for the holidays, so join us to hear the warm sounds of a Minnesota Christmas. This year we salute many of the composers that call Minnesota home in a blend of the most beloved music of the season. Fall in love with new carols as…
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