SUNDAY 8/25/2019 Estamos Aqui! An early morning saw most of us clutching our coffee cups at Terminal 1, but the TSA check wasn’t quite as ugly as we’d feared. Our direct flight was a godsend, and four hours later, we came through the clouds and were greeted by the misty blue mountains that watch… Read More →
The end of July found artistic director Philip Brunelle in Hong Kong, where the Hong Kong Children’s Choir celebrated its 50th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of VocalEssence. He also found time to stop in London and Gloucester for the Three Choirs Festival, where he enjoyed a Bob Chilcott premiere, and met with composer James… Read More →
The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers under the direction of Philip Brunelle will present a Homecoming Concert featuring music from their Mexico tour on Saturday, September 7, at 7 PM at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake. The concert is free of charge, but a free-will offering will be taken at the event. VocalEssence… Read More →
Tag along with the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers as they head to Mexico, August 25-September 2, by checking in with the VocalEssence Facebook page where our “Postcards from Mexico” correspondents will be sharing updates and running a fun trivia challenge. Every day, alto (and writer) Anna George Meek and production manager Ethan Johnson will provide an… Read More →
David Vogels: The American Organist TAO August 2019 Many of you recognize Philip Brunelle as a world-class choral conductor, based on his tenure with Plymouth Congregational Church and the VocalEssence ensemble in Minneapolis—he’s currently celebrating his 50th anniversary with both organizations. You may also know him as an opera conductor and a director of music festivals… Read More →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE SAYS ‘GOD JUL!’ TO ALL AS CHRISTMAS CONCERTS GO NORDIC Carols from Sweden, Finland, and Norway star in this year’s Welcome Christmas program, including a world premiere from Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen MINNEAPOLIS — July 30, 2019 — The Welcome Christmas concerts from the VocalEssence… Read More →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR RECEIVES (ANOTHER) TOP HONOR Philip Brunelle wins the 2019 American Prize in Conducting MINNEAPOLIS — July 23, 2019 — VocalEssence founder and artistic director Philip Brunelle is still going strong after more than a half century on the podium. The maestro recently garnered… Read More →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE AGAIN JOINS ICONIC MEXICAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FOR PERFORMANCES Minneapolis-based choral ensemble will travel to Mexico for second summer to perform Verdi’s Requiem with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería MINNEAPOLIS — July 23, 2019 — The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers have again been invited to join the legendary… Read More →
April brought a huge thrill as Chorus America recognized VocalEssence with its 2019 Education and Community Engagement Award for our youth choral program, VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (VESOTA). Chorus America is a prominent advocacy organization for our nation’s choral groups, and its Education and Community Engagement Award recognizes the best emerging program (less than… Read More →
One of the most promising aspects of our 2018-2020 Strategic Plan is our push to expand the “we” in “Together We Sing!” We’re doing this by advancing inclusion, access, and equity in our organization. We’re lucky enough to live in a diverse community where people of all ages and backgrounds are passionate about music. By… Read More →
In his “wonderful and busy” June and July, Artistic Director Philip Brunelle has been making music with old friends and new. He returned to the podium to conduct the Lake Harriet Pops Orchestra, a post he held for 10 seasons, and filled the air outside the Lake Harriet Bandshell with the music of Bernstein and… Read More →
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE SINGERS OF THIS AGE RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY Youth choir named “Best New Education Program” by Chorus America MINNEAPOLIS — July 22, 2019 — VocalEssence is not just a revered performing ensemble, but an award-winning educational institution as well. Its groundbreaking high school choir, VocalEssence Singers Of This… Read More →
The Oxford Times (UK) has declared that the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers “have a blend that could—and should—be the envy of every choir in the business.” Founded in 1991, the Ensemble Singers are acclaimed for their “superbly blended sound” (Birmingham Post, UK) and “exemplary technique” (Minneapolis Star Tribune). Lauded by the Times of London as “polished, bright and brilliantly balanced,” this… Read More →
