Welcome to the opening concert of the 58th season of VocalEssence! We are very pleased to return once again to the majestic Saint Paul Cathedral, a site for many VocalEssence concerts in the past, including performances featuring such distinguished guests as Sir John Rutter, Sir John Tavener, and Egypt’s First Lady, Jehan Sadat.

Tonight, we celebrate a return to a work and a place that holds a special connection for VocalEssence. Eighteen years ago, VocalEssence gave the Twin Cities premiere of Berlioz’s Te Deum right here in this Cathedral. It is wonderful to bring this magnificent work back to this space.

When Berlioz composed Te Deum for the church of Saint-Eustache in Paris, he knew he was writing for a space with an acoustical reverberation of seven or eight seconds (the same as this Cathedral). The opening chords of the orchestra, answered by the full organ, take full advantage of that dramatic resonance. Berlioz also knew that a single harp could easily be lost within a large orchestra, so to achieve the effect he envisioned, he composed the work for twelve harps! These are very good reasons for us to be here this evening.

We have a wonderful and enticing season of music ahead, and I hope you will join us throughout the months ahead: for our Christmas concerts (Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Welcome Christmas); for WITNESS, our celebration of Black diaspora and music; for the return of the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge in April; and in May, for Temptation to Tranquility, with the performance of the Fauré Requiem coupled with music of seven composers inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins. This is the kind of season that only VocalEssence can bring you!

I also encourage you to discover the concerts of our Vintage Voices choirs, as well as the performances of our young people’s ensemble, Singers Of This Age (SOTA).

Thank you again for joining us this evening for our 58th season opener.

—Philip Brunelle
Artistic Director and Founder, VocalEssence

VocalEssence Ensemble Singers

Choeur Triomphal (Triumphal Chorus)
from Mass for Four Voices
Camille Saint-Saëns (1856)

Camille Saint-Saëns was an organist, conductor, and pianist, and composer in many genres–operas, symphonies, concerti, and choral music. He was committed to music of earlier times, and his masses and Christmas Oratorio reflect this in his music.

O Sacrum Convivium! (O Sacred Banquet!)
Olivier Messiaen (1937)

Olivier Messiaen composed “O Sacrum Convivium” as a communion motet with mystical sounds and repeated phrases invoking a deeply religious fervor.

Sustinuit Anima Mea (My Soul Has Held Fast to God’s Word)
from De Profundis
Marcel Dupré (1917)

Marcel Dupré was an amazing organist and improviser, a student of Charles-Marie Widor, and organist for many years at the church of St. Sulpice in Paris. His “Sustinuit Anima Mea” is a movement from his cantata, De Profundis composed during the midst of World War I, imploring God to sustain the people’s spirit.

Exultate Deo (Sing Joyfully to God)
Francis Poulenc (1941)

Francis Poulenc’s setting of a vibrant psalm, “O sing unto God”, combines moments recalling Renaissance harmony coupled with jazz-like chords and a sudden pause before the final choral explosion celebrating the “feast day”.

VocalEssence Chorus

Ubi Caritas (Where Charity Is)
from Four Motets
Maurice Duruflé (1960)

Maurice Duruflé is best known for his motets and his Requiem. He studied with Charles-Marie Widor at the Paris Conservatoire, where he taught for many years and served as organist at the Parisian church of St. Étienne-du-Mont. His Requiem is the most frequently heard setting worldwide of any French work.

Jesu, Dulcis Memoria (Jesus, Sweet Memory)
Pierre Villette (1994)

Pierre Villette was the only composer of this group who did not live in Paris, rather, in Provence for most of his life. A student of Duruflé, he composed chant-like melodies blended with beautiful harmonies.

Laudamus Te (We Praise You)
from Gloria
Francis Poulenc (1959)

Poulenc once confessed the inspiration behind this movement’s giddy, skipping energy: the sight of solemn Benedictine monks playing soccer. He wanted a Gloria “in the Vivaldi style,” and Laudamus Te delivers exactly that—bright, off-kilter, and unapologetically joyful. When the piece premiered in 1961, critics bristled at its playfulness in a “serious” sacred work. Audiences disagreed, and the piece has been beloved ever since.

VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers

How Lovely Are Thy Temples (Psalm 84)
Charles-Marie Widor (1976)

Charles-Marie Widor, known for his organ “Toccata” was an organist (63 years at St. Sulpice) and professor at the Conservatoire. This psalm setting alternates between the male seminarians at St. Sulpice and the mixed voice choir.

20 MINUTE INTERMISSION

VocalEssence Chorus, Ensemble Singers, Festival Choir, and Orchestra

Te Deum (We Praise Thee, O God)
Hector Berlioz (1849)

March (For the presentation of the standards)
I. Te Deum (Hymn)
II. Tibi Omnes (Hymn)
III. Dignare, Domine (Prayer)
IV. Christe, Rex Gloriæ (Hymn)
V. Te Ergo Quæsumus (Prayer), Andy McCullough, tenor
VI. Judex Crederis (Hymn and Prayer)
March (For the presentation of the standards)

When we performed the Berlioz’s Te Deum 18 years ago, I asked Alice Hanson, former professor of music history at St. Olaf College, to write some comments on the work, which follow:

The ideas for Hector Berlioz’s (1803-1869) ultra Romantic Te Deum, op. 22 (1849) actually arose much earlier during the composition of his Requiem, an opera about Judgment Day, and a symphony commemorating French victories during the Napoleonic War. While the Latin text is traditional, the music is not for it recalls the massive public singing during the Revolution and the lavish military funeral ceremonies of the Napoleonic Empire. Scored for double choir and solo tenor, it also requires a powerful organ and a large orchestra–what Berlioz called “the Pope and Emperor.”

The six movements alternate depictions of God’s majesty and grandeur with pleas for mercy of humankind. Thus the forceful movements I, II, IV, and VI contain music with military pomp, full of brass and drums, while movements III and V offer up corporate prayers of the people and the individual (tenor solo) with softer, lyrical melodies that tend to rise in supplication.

Audiences usually revel in the work’s magnificent, colossal sounds, but there are effective subtle touches also. For example, in “Sanctus,” particularly striking is the depiction of heavenly angelic hosts sung by only women, whose ranks are then joined by the apostles and saints of all time (the tenor-bass voices) in colorful harmony. Memorable also is the depiction of inescapable Judgment Day “Judex crederis” represented with the authority of low brass and tenor-bass voices in a swinging rhythm interrupted by the cries of “Salve” by the sorpano-alto voices. Such sweeping musical drama was usually heard only in the contemporary grand operas of Meyerbeer and in the operas of Wagner a decade later.

The Te Deum languished for six years without performance until April 30, 1855, when it was mounted to honor the newly crowned Emperor Louis Napoleon (III). Today it continues to challenge the musical resources of concert organizations, making this performance a distinctive and rare opportunity.

CHOEUR TRIOMPHAL (TRIUMPHAL CHORUS)
from Mass for Four Voices
Camille Saint-Saëns (1856)

(Sung in French)
Glory to God in power and majesty.
God reigns in the heavens and on earth.
Let us praise God in God’s glory and immensity.
Give praise to God and glory to the Lord.
—1 Chronicles 29:11

O SACRUM CONVIVIUM! (O SACRED BANQUET!)
Olivier Messiaen (1937)

(Sung in Latin)
O Sacred banquet in which Christ is received:
The memory of his passion is recalled
And the mind is filled with grace.

O Sacred banquet in which Christ is received:
And a pledge of future glory is given to us.
—13th century prose attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas

SUSTINUIT ANIMA MEA (MY SOUL HAS HELD FAST TO GOD’S WORD)
from De Profundis
Marcel Dupré (1917)

(Sung in Latin)
My soul has held fast to God’s word.
My soul hopes in the Lord.
—Psalm 130:5

EXULTATE DEO (SING JOYFULLY TO GOD)
Francis Poulenc (1941)

(Sung in Latin)
Sing joyfully to God our strength;
Sing loud unto the God of Jacob.
Take the song, bring forth the timbrel,
The pleasant harp and the viol.
Blow the trumpet in the new moon,
At the time appointed for our feast day.
—Psalm 81:1-4

UBI CARITAS (WHERE CHARITY IS)
from Four Motets
Maurice Duruflé (1960)

(Sung in Latin)
Where charity and love are, there God is.
The love of Christ has gathered us together.

Let us rejoice and be glad in God,
Let us fear and love the living God,
And love one another with a sincere heart.
—8th century prose attributed to Paulinus of Aquileia

JESU, DULCIS MEMORIA (JESUS, SWEET MEMORY)
Pierre Villette (1994)

(Sung in Latin)
Jesus, sweet memory.
Giving the heart its true joys,
But above honey and all things
Is His sweet presence.

Nothing more elegant can be sung,
Nothing more pleasing can be heard,
Nothing more sweet can be thought
Than Jesus, son of God.

Be our joy, O Jesus,
Who will be the prize we win,
May all our glory be in you, always
And through all ages.
Amen.
—13th century prose attributed to John of Hoveden

LAUDAMUS TE (WE PRAISE YOU)
from Gloria
Francis Poulenc (1959)

(Sung in Latin)
We praise you, we bless you,
We worship you, we glorify you.
We give thanks to you for your great glory.
—English version by Hugh Ross

HOW LOVELY ARE THY TEMPLES (PSALM 84)
Charles-Marie Widor (1976)

How lovely are thy temples,
Lord of all the heavens!
For my soul longest, yea,
It fainteth even for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and my flesh exult to the living God,
My heart and also my flesh
Exult in song to the living God.

Yes, the sparrow hath found her,
Hath found her a house, and the swallow a nest
Where she may lay her young ones,
O Lord of Hosts at thine altars,
My King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in the house of the Lord,
They shall forever and ever be praising thee.

Blessed are those whose strength is in the Lord God,
They go from strength to strength.

In the vale of sorrowful anguish the God of Gods
Appeareth as a sun and shield.
Lord, protect thy people, hear our prayer unto thee,
Give ear O God of Jacob, Lord of Hosts,
Lord protect thy people, hear our prayer unto thee.
O hear our prayer, O Lord of Hosts, God of Jacob.
—Translated and edited by Philip Brunelle

TE DEUM (WE PRAISE THEE, O GOD)
Hector Berlioz (1849)

March (For the presentation of the standards)

(Sung in Latin)
I. Te Deum (Hymn)
We praise thee, O God;
We acknowledge thee to be the Lord;
All the earth worships thee,
The Father everlasting.

II. Tibi Omnes (Hymn)
To thee all angels, the heavens and all powers,
To thee cherubim and seraphim cry unceasingly:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth!
Heaven and Earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.

III. Dignare, Domine (Prayer)
Deign, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us.

IV. Christe, Rex Gloriæ (Hymn)
Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,
Thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.

V. Te Ergo Quæsumus (Prayer)
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,
Whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy saints in glory
everlasting.

VI. Judex Crederis (Hymn and Prayer)
Thou art judged to be the Judge who will come.
We pray thee, help thy servants.
Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage.
Vouchsafe to keep us this day and for evermore.

March (For the presentation of the standards)

ANDY MCCULLOUGH
Soloist

Tenor Andy McCullough commands a versatile career spanning international opera, concert stages, and elite ensembles. He earned his Master of Music from The Juilliard School under the renowned tutelage of Marlena Malas and appeared onstage at the Juilliard Opera Center, later refining his craft at Aspen Young Artists, Chautauqua, and Aldeburgh’s Britten Pears Programme. Andy’s extensive collaborations with Maestro Lorin Maazel took him from the Castleton Festival to stages across Europe and the Middle East, alongside solo appearances at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall. The Washington Post praised his “light and airy voice, with power where he needed it.” Holding a music education & performance degree from Ithaca College, Andy serves on the Minnesota Chorale Board of Directors, sings within its professional core, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, and the Cathedral of Saint Paul Schola Cantorum, and teaches voice and musicianship at Augsburg University. After a decade building software in New York City, Andy now develops technology to power and fund under-represented communities. His singing engagements with the Ensemble Singers at Bath and Westminster Abbey remains a joyous hallmark of his career!

ORCHESTRA

VIOLIN 1
Julia Persitz
Angela Hanson
Alastair Brown
Claire Louden
Kseniya Khvashchynskaya
Karl Braaten
Jesus Guzman
Zack Saathoff

VIOLIN 2
Elise Meichels Parker
Stephanie Skor
Renata Steve
Lydia Lui
Elizabeth York
Wendy Lai
Mikki Johnston

VIOLA
Emily Hagen
Susan Janda
Chuck Krenner
Coca Bochonko
Annalee Wolf
John Middleton
Alex Mueller
Kristine Oberg

CELLO
Teresa Richardson
Rebecca Arons
Darin Anderson
Ruth Marshall

BASS
Charles Block
Irving Steinberg

FLUTE
Hannah Peterson
Jeeyoun Kang

OBOE
Sarah Carmack
Alyssa Jermiason

CLARINET
Karin Meffert Nelson
Jennifer Gerth

BASSOON
Matt Bertrand
Justin Windschitl

HORN
Chuck Hodgson
Neal Bolter

CORNET
Jon Brandt
Christopher Volpe

TRUMPET
Graham Taylor
Paul Stodolka

TROMBONE
Phil Ostrander
Larry Zimmerman
John Tranter

TUBA
Jacob Grew

PERCUSSION
David Hagedorn
Caitlyn Lucic

HARP
Lynne Aspnes
Finn Coleman
Eliana Fast
Emily Gerard
Esther Gilbertson
Samara Isakson
Shari Latz Rothman
Amalia Ranstrom
Larcom Scott
Andrea Stern
Phala Tracy
Atari Veldey

ORGAN
Chris Ganza

PIANO
Casey Rafn

For 58 years, VocalEssence has provided opportunities for singers from the Twin Cities area to create incredible music together and build connections as part of the vibrant arts community in Minnesota. VocalEssence is known for introducing audiences to music and artists who are not yet known, often welcoming guest artists, composers, and conductors who are emerging, have unknown works, or represent a variety of cultures. Welcoming all members of the greater community, VocalEssence embodies the motto: Together We Sing.

VOCALESSENCE MISSION
VocalEssence draws upon the power of singing together to nurture community, inspire creativity, affirm the value of all persons, and expand the influence of choral music.

PHILIP BRUNELLE
Artistic Director and Founder
Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder of VocalEssence 58 years ago, is an internationally-renowned conductor, choral scholar, and visionary. Philip has conducted symphonies, choral festivals, and operas on six continents. He holds five honorary degrees, served 9 years as Vice President of IFCM (International Federation for Choral Music), and has been recognized for his commitment to choral music by the governments of Norway, Hungary, Sweden, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. In 2019, he was awarded the American Prize in Choral Conducting and, in 2020, was given the Honorary Member Award by the Society for American Music. Philip was appointed a National Arts Associate of the Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity. Philip is also OrganistChoirmaster at Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis. During the pandemic Philip recorded 300 “Musical Moments” which can be accessed at www.vocalessence.org, and his thoughts on music are at RenaissanceManpodcast.com. Philip and his wife Carolyn, a studio artist, have 3 children (Tim, Christopher, and Elise) and 7 grandchildren.

G. PHILLIP SHOULTZ, III
Associate Artistic Director
G. Phillip Shoultz, III, uses the power of spoken word and song to foster community and inspire action among people of all ages and abilities. Phillip conducts festival choirs and leads workshops across the United States and beyond. He serves on the faculty of the University of St. Thomas and guides the ministries of worship, music, and the arts at Westwood Lutheran Church. An accomplished curator of multidisciplinary community collaborations, Phillip was Artistic Director of Sing Democracy 250 and the University of Minnesota Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert. He is the voice of Songs of Freedom on American Public Media and hosts Young People’s Concerts for Minnesota Orchestra. His pandemic-inspired livestream, Take 5 with GPS, continues each week as he rapidly approaches the 800-episode milestone. Phillip has a new choral series launching with National Music Publishers this season, and his published arrangements have garnered the attention of choirs around the country. His numerous honors include winning the ACDA Graduate Conducting Competition and multiple Teacher of the Year awards. In the summer of 2020, he founded “Table for More” to help organizations address issues related to innovation, equity, racial justice, and belonging in the arts. Phillip lives in St. Louis Park with his wife, Michelle; their children, Malachi and Lydia Grace; and two cats, Link and Minnie.

ROBERT GRAHAM
Learning and Engagement Manager
Conductor, Vintage Voices
Robert Graham is the Learning and Engagement Manager at VocalEssence where he serves as the conductor for the VocalEssence Vintage Voices choirs, and oversees the renowned VocalEssence WITNESS School Program. Robert has a Master of Music degree in both vocal performance and choral conducting from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and a B.A. in vocal performance from Xavier University of Louisiana. Robert currently sings second tenor in the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and also performs around the Twin Cities as a solo and chamber musician.

CASEY RAFN
Accompanist
Pianist Casey Rafn enjoys a varied career as a collaborative pianist both in the United States and abroad, in Europe and Latin America. He is a member of ‘Trés’, whose saxophone-piano trio was nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album for their album “Romance al Campesino Porteño.” Casey often collaborates in concert or recordings with members of the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and University of Minnesota School of Music faculty. As a piano soloist he took top prizes at the International Liszt-Garrison Competition in Baltimore, has appeared with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, and has taught at both the University of Minnesota School of Music and the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Arts.

JOHN JENSEN
Accompanist, VocalEssence Vintage Voices
John Jensen received his music degrees in Southern California, where he attended Occidental College and University of Southern California. While there he freelanced as a studio musician, playing on the Andy Williams show and touring the country with prominent singers through Columbia Artists Management. He moved to Iowa and taught for 15 years at Grinnell College as an artistin-residence. In 1990, John moved to St. Paul and has played with VocalEssence, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He plays jazz and classical piano around the area, including performances with the Bloomingtones, a traveling senior choir based in Bloomington, MN.

VOCALESSENCE CHORUS

The VocalEssence Chorus is a group of talented and enthusiastic singers from many different walks of life, united by their love of singing and community. Performing a wide variety of musical styles, premiering new works, and sharing the stage with a diverse array of guest artists, the Chorus is a welcome home for singers who wish to continue making music throughout their adult lives.

SOPRANO
Ann Ambach
AnnaLisa Anderson
Jessica Belt
Ashley Brandt
Kate Brinkert
Corey Cellurale
Lorinda Chagnon
Marie Colangelo
Amanda Connolly
Emma Deignan
Emily Dyrdahl
Katie Eilers
Eva Gibney-Jones
Lillian Gray
Kristina Guiffre
Becca Hovsepian
Sally Jaffray
Elinor Jones
Maggie Koebele
Laura Langan
Christina Pederson
Venessa Rockwell
Alexa Rosenbaum
Mary Salveson
Emma Schlabach
Emily Seifers
Ashley Slattery
Leah Sovick
Abbie Sulik
Dana Terres
Kat True
Jen Vickerman Akaolisa
Dannika Wright

ALTO
Akosua Addo
Jo Michelle Beld
Maria Coughlan
Maggie Driemeyer
Autumn Gurgel Valentini
Marjorie Hakala
Dee Hein
Grace Herbertz
Brianna Hill
Grace Hjort
Tori Hornby
Emma Jirele Sandhurst
Katie Kovacovich
Annie Krishnan
Jessica Laven Johnson
Jeenee Lee
Lark Lewis
Carly Lunden
Kristi Mueller
Elizabeth Neuenfeldt
Jillian Paulson
Liz Raimann
Marty Raymond
Miriam Sahouani
Erin Sandsmark
Katie Sandsmark
Sydney Schoeberle
Alyssa Shapiro
Sarah Taft
Laura Tanner
Allie Wigley

TENOR
Erik Adolphson
Steve Aggergaard
Brett Bacon
Larry J Brandts
Cheryl Calloway
Dante Colmenares
Ryan Coopergard
Alex Cox
Mary Kay Delvo
Ben Demaree
Cooper Drose
Tim Emery
James Feltes
Kurtis Parlin
Thomas Sasdi
Peter Schattauer
Barry John Tikalsky

BASS
Robert Atendido
Seth Bresky
Adam Hecker
Russ Kaplan
Evan Kelly
Jordan Kiffmeyer
Devin Knopf
Jeff League
Phil Lowry
Nicholas Marcouiller
Thomas Mondry
Nick Mroczek
David Olson
Brian Ruhl
Grant Spickelmier
Trent Stenoien

VOCALESSENCE ENSEMBLE SINGERS

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.

SOPRANO
Jennifer Bevington
Katie Boardman
Elsa Buck
JoAnna Johnson
Kathryn Rupp
Mari Scott
Carey Shunskis

ALTO
Robin Joy Helgen
Audrey Lane-Getaz
Anna George Meek
Judith McClain Melander
Carolyn Nuelle
Kristina Rodel Sorum
Cat Terres

TENOR
Will Berendsen
Ben Brunnette
Jared Campbell
Eli Gatlin-Baumgartner
Robert Graham
Jonah Herzog
Andy McCullough
Phil Reilly

BASS
Dakota Anderson
Joseph Ellickson
David Gindra
Joe Kastner
Erik Krohg
Dr. Michael P. Schmidt
Benjamin Shermock
Ian Witry

FESTIVAL CHOIR

SOPRANO
Evelyne Anderson
Angie Askegaard
Emily Beugen
Kassie Boller
Sarah Caflisch
Elizabeth Carney
Christina Connelly
Annika Detweiler
Elizabeth Foster
Neshat Javidpour
Julia Jones
Anne Lynch
Maleficent Lyric
Ellie Masias
Celeste Moe
Debbie Peeples
Kamryn Rau
Ruth Swanson
Ursula Wolf

ALTO
Jessica Abramovich
Andrea Aerts
Sarah Ashby
Kristen Byrd
Whitney Hanson
Katie Hodges
Leslie Hopton
Alanna Kucera
Meredith McCoy
Gabrielle Noe’l
Beth O’Fallon
Rachel Oberg-Hauser
Jamie Ohrt
Rachel Whittington

TENOR
Skylar Bandelin
Maxwell Deyo
Jim Gallagher
Cully Gallagher
Derek Huber
Eric Kraemer
Kaleb Scott
Sasha Vazzano
Rick Saumer

BASS
Adam Brady
Ryan Fauglid
Harold Fuson
Henry Harriel
Doug Hoverson
Jason Kellmer
Ben Kucera
Augustus Nelson
Jordan Olson
Jack Ruble
Mark Suggs
Douglas Toavs
Brandon Wu

VOCALESSENCE SINGERS OF THIS AGE

The VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (SOTA) is a community of Twin Cities teenagers engaged in expanding what it means to be a choir and, encouraging a wider circle of participation in the artform. Presenting music ranging from classical to hip-hop, they use creativity and collaboration to build an accepting community, equipped with the skills to lead social change in our society.

SOTA is open to all teenage students upon successful completion of an interview process. There is no cost to participate. Upon making a year long commitment, singers receive free transportation to and from rehearsals and performances, performance uniforms, dinner and snacks, and complimentary concert tickets.

Join our community today! Click here to begin the interview process.

VOCALESSENCE VINTAGE VOICES

VocalEssence Vintage Voices is an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults. Guided by a desire to create a welcoming atmosphere and remove barriers for participation, these choirs sing to build community, combat loneliness and isolation, and improve physical and emotional wellbeing.

Upcoming Vintage Voices Concerts:
Trillium Woods: Friday, November 6, 2026, 3 PM
Keystone: Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6 PM
Sabathani: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 6 PM

For more information, visit vocalessence.org/events.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Daniel Fernelius
President

Valton Henderson
Vice President, Board Affairs Committee Chair

Dan Dressen
Secretary

Kristine Oberg
Treasurer

Philip Brunelle
Ryan French
Cassandra Garnett
Brianna Hill
Novelli Jurado
Sooki Jalali
Lori Ledoux
Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed
Harry Miller
Dr. Kristin Morris
Anna Ostroushko
Bunny Robinson
Eve Schulte
G. Phillip Shoultz, III
Carey Shunskis
Carolyn Sleeth
Timothy C. Takach
Mary Tjosvold
Sunita Vongharath-Evenson
Karen Voracek
Amy Jaine Wielunski

LIFETIME DIRECTORS
Ann Barkelew
Ann Buran
Art Kaemmer*
Nikki Lewis
Mike McCarthy*
Dave Mona
Alfred Moore*
Don Shelby
Dorene Wernke

HONORARY DIRECTORS
Dominick Argento*
William Bolcom
Dave Brubeck*
Stewart Copeland
Aaron Copland*
Håkan Hagegård
Louise Heffelfinger*
Eskil Hemberg*
Betty Hulings*
Sigrid Johnson*
James Earl Jones*
Garrison Keillor
Sir James MacMillan
Donald Mitchell*
Helmuth Rilling*
Sir John Rutter
Peter Schickele*
Dr. André J. Thomas
Eric Whitacre
Roderick Williams OBE
*In remembrance

VOCALESSENCE STAFF

ARTISTIC STAFF
Philip Brunelle
Artistic Director and Founder

G. Phillip Shoultz, III
Associate Artistic Director

Robert Graham
Learning and Engagement Manager | Conductor, Vintage Voices

Casey Rafn
Accompanist

John Jensen
Accompanist, Vintage Voices

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Azure Anderson
Director of Artistic Operations

Jeff Bina
Director of Finance and Operations

Jennifer Dieter
Grants Consultant

Rhiannon Fiskradatz
Learning and Engagement Manager

Laura Holst
Development and Marketing Associate

Polina Montes de Oca
Major Gifts Officer

Cassandra Roaché
Administrative Assistant

Emma Jirele Sandhurst
Engagement and Communications Manager

Amanda Timmer
Manager, Audience Development

Amy Jaine Wielunski
Executive Director

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
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VocalEssence has a large group of committed supporters and is honored by the many gifts received in memory, appreciation, and celebration of friends and family that are too many to list in this concert program.

Please click the button below to see a full list of supporters and special tributes.

VocalEssence Supporters

Steve Aggergaard
Lynne Aspnes
Dan Dressen
Chris Ganza
Paul Gerike
Marjorie Hakala
Fr. Joseph Johnson
Thomas Mondry
Nick Mroczek
Mary Schaffner
Jennifer Vickerman Akaolisa

Cathedral Heritage Foundation
Productivity, Inc., Greg and Lisa Buck
Cay Shea