It was a surprise like no other. In cahoots with Philip Brunelle, Kay’s husband Mike commissioned five women composers to write a song based on one of Kay’s quilts. She was speechless at the reveal. “I can’t tell you how excited I am about this project,” Kay described later with tears in her eyes. “This… Read More →
VocalEssence is thrilled to be the first choir nationally to offer the Lullaby Project, a national program of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute. The Lullaby Project creates musical experiences for women facing pregnancy while enduring other hardships, such as teenage pregnancy, homelessness, or incarceration. Lullabies are powerful tools for parents. According to research, the experience… Read More →
CONTACT: Katrina Wallmeyer 612-547-1472 katrina@vocalessence.org VOCALESSENCE WELCOMES FOUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS MINNEAPOLIS — August 25, 2016 — Minneapolis-based arts organization VocalEssence announced today that four new members have joined its Board of Directors—Steve Aggergaard, Julie Bader, Julie Craven, and Nancy Nelson. All four new board members have a wealth of experience and have been… Read More →
VocalEssence announces the winners of its second annual ReMix mentorship, designed to foster the next generation of choral music composers. VocalEssence ReMix matches four emerging Minnesota composers with mentors for a six-month one-on-one partnership to help each composer complete two new, original choral pieces. These works will premiere at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)… Read More →
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. VocalEssence Vision VocalEssence seeks to be forward-thinking—a singing community where all find belonging. Aspiring to inspire, we discover, celebrate, and build lasting experiences that transform hearts and… Read More →
Inspired by Leonard Bernstein’s plea that we respond to violence with a renewed resolve “to make music more intensely, more beautifully, and more devotedly than ever before,” we as artists have gotten together to create a musical response to the most recent tragedies. We hope you will join us in our efforts to unite our… Read More →
CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE EXPLORES THE SEASONS OF LIFE WITH “THE VOYAGE” Acclaimed choral ensemble kicks off 48th season exploring challenges and triumphs in a musical journey through life, marked by the words of Shakespeare—October 16 MINNEAPOLIS—AUGUST 26, 2016—Internationally recognized choral music organization VocalEssence, who earlier this summer performed with Italian singing… Read More →
CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE BRINGS CHORAL MUSIC LUMINARIES TO MINNEAPOLIS FOR HISTORIC COMMUNITY SING Join in song with nonagenarian choral legend Alice Parker and long-time Sweet Honey In The Rock® star Ysaÿe Barnwell at Community Sing with VocalEssence—October 15 MINNEAPOLIS—JULY 12, 2016—For the first Community Sing of its 48th season, Minneapolis’s premier choral ensemble… Read More →
Sixty five members of the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers wowed more than 16,000 fans at Target Center with Andrea Bocelli on Tuesday, June 9. Selections ranged from opera standards to popular hits from the musical The Sound of Music. One VocalEssence Chorus member commented, “that was the most unforgettable experience and opportunity! Peruse photos of… Read More →
This fall VocalEssence hosts the U.S. premiere of The Voyage, a new piece by former King’s Singer and British composer Bob Chilcott, that connects singers across generations through music. Joining the VocalEssence Chorus will be singers from Minnesota Chorale’s Minneapolis Youth Chorus and Voices of Experience. Watch the video above produced for the premiere performance… Read More →
Annually VocalEssence partners with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) to offer in depth workshops about our concerts for older adults. OLLI at the University of Minnesota is a vital community of older adults who are brought together by their intellectual curiosity and love of learning. An affiliated program of the university’s College of Continuing Education,… Read More →
Director of Artistic Operations phone 612-547-1480 ethan@vocalessence.org Ethan Kellum Johnson joined the team at VocalEssence in the summer of 2019. As the Director of Artistic Operations, Ethan oversees the process of planning and executing the behind-the-scenes details of VocalEssence artistic programs, including concert production and Learning & Engagement programmatic events. Working with VocalEssence artists and… Read More →
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Students are buzzing with excitement about the upcoming VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Community Concerts on Monday, May 23 at 6 and 8 pm at the Ordway Concert Hall. Northport Elementary School students have been practicing moving while singing. Composer Alephsus Valdés has written a song for them using iPads. “Máscaras” or “Masks” includes students covering and uncovering… Read More →
What a wonderful world! The VocalEssence Choralia fundraiser on Sunday, May 1, 2016 broke so many records that VocalEssence is overcome with gratitude. We sold out the Radisson Blu Mall of America with 500 attendees. Guest artist Melanie DeMore encouraged all of us to “hold up” one another through song, while singers from the Sabathani Vintage Voices… Read More →
