Review: VocalEssence and Osmo Vänskä on clarinet teamed up for a powerful concert. By Michael Anthony Special to the Star Tribune Posted 9/25/17 — 1:33 PM People speak of “the Finnish miracle,” referring to the surprising number of important musicians produced by the little country (population 5.5 million): conductors, singers, virtuoso instrumentalists. Celebrations of Finland’s centennial… Read More →
A wonderful month ahead with lots of music-making! The first rehearsals have begun for the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers. Osmo Vänskä comes to rehearsal next week as the Ensemble Singers prepare for the Finland concerts with Osmo on clarinet and Sara Pajunen on fiddle. Don’t miss one of these September 24 concerts at the… Read More →
This fall, more than 60 older adults from Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley and Parkshore Senior Living in St. Louis Park are warming up their voices at VocalEssence Vintage Voices rehearsals. Vintage Voices, a program of VocalEssence, brings the many benefits—physical, psychological, and social—of choral participation to older adults. It removes barriers to engagement and… Read More →
Director of Finance and Operations phone 612-547-1455 fax 612-547-1464 jeff@vocalessence.org Jeff Bina comes to VocalEssence with a background in arts administration and finance as well as radio production and music performance. Prior to VocalEssence, he spent four years with the professional men’s vocal ensemble, Cantus, serving as their Operations and Finance Manager. Here, he grew… Read More →
Director of Marketing and Communications phone 612-547-1459 fax 612-547-1484 amanda@vocalessence.org Amanda Timmer joined VocalEssence in 2014. As the Director of Marketing and Communications, Amanda plans and oversees communication strategies that promote all that VocalEssence creates. Prior to joining the VocalEssence staff, Amanda earned a Master of Music degree in Flute Performance from Minnesota State University,… Read More →
VocalEssence is pleased to announce the following winners of the 20th annual VocalEssence Welcome Christmas Carol Contest, and the second year of VocalEssence ReMix. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all who applied. Welcome Christmas Carol Contest Winners Sponsored by the American Composers Forum and VocalEssence, the Welcome Christmas Carol Contest is now… Read More →
Philip Brunelle, Artistic Director & Founder July and August have definitely been ‘music months’ for me. July began with many planning meetings for the coming season and the first week concluded with an amazing patriotic event at the Anoka airport with 24 VocalEssence singers and 5000 motorcyclists and their motorcycles! Then off to Barcelona for the… Read More →
In the 2016-2017 season VocalEssence partnered with the Teen Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program at Longfellow Alternative High School in Minneapolis. VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III and an octet of VocalEssence Ensemble Singers collaborated with guest artist Melanie DeMore to help four African American teen moms and one grandmother write lullabies. These lullabies were… Read More →
Creative Minnesota highlights the positive impact being made by artists and creative workers. The 2017 study found that every region of the state has a robust arts economy, from the prairies of southwest Minnesota to the busy Twin Cities area to the tourist magnet that is the North Shore. The combined annual economic impact of… Read More →
