Minnesota is home to one of the truly international gems in choral music—the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers. This 32-voice professional chorus sings under the direction of VocalEssence founder Philip Brunelle and associate conductor G. Phillip Shoultz III. In addition to the full biographies provided above, we offer the following resources for your consideration: Sample program and audio…  Read More →

Artistic Director and Founder phone 612-547-1451 fax 612-547-1484 philip@vocalessence.org Download High Resolution Press Photo Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder of VocalEssence, is an internationally renowned conductor, choral scholar and visionary. He has made his lifelong mission the promotion of the choral art in all its forms, especially rarely heard works of the past and worthwhile new music.…  Read More →

Sample Program I O Praise the Lord of Heaven (William Billings) The Day Is Done (Stephen Paulus) Zuni Sunrise Song (Brent Michael Davids) Zion’s Walls (Aaron Copland) Oh Susannah (Stephen Foster, arr. Edwin Fissinger) Dixie (Daniel Emmet [attributed], arr. Norman Luboff) Camptown Races (Stephen Foster, arr. Jack Halloran) “Gloria” from The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass (Carol Barnett)…  Read More →

Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine (Eric Whitacre) My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord (Moses Hogan) La Cucaracha (arr. Robert Sund)

“VocalEssence have a blend that could – and should – be the envy of every choir in the business.” —Alexandra Coghlan, Oxford Times (UK) “The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers are fully paid-up members of America’s choral Ivy League.” —Alexandra Coghlan, Oxford Times (UK) “A superbly blended sound.” —Terry Grimley, Birmingham Post (UK) “Polished, bright and brilliantly balanced.” — London Times (UK) “Exemplary…  Read More →

1969 Philip Brunelle founds the Plymouth Church Music Series. 1970 Aaron Copland conducts a performance of his choral works aptly titled “In the Beginning.” 1973 Dominick Argento composes Jonah and the Whale, the first VocalEssence commission. 1973 Dave Brubeck Jazz legend performs the Midwest premiere of his To Hope: A Celebration. 1974 Garrison Keillor features…  Read More →

In addition to championing lesser-known works of the past, VocalEssence has an unwavering commitment to today’s composers, which has resulted in more than 140 world premieres to date. The organization has received the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for adventurous programming of contemporary music six times and has been honored with more Chorus America awards than any…  Read More →

Artistic Director and Founder phone 612-547-1451 fax 612-547-1484 philip@vocalessence.org Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder of VocalEssence, is an internationally renowned conductor, choral scholar and visionary. He has made his lifelong mission the promotion of the choral art in all its forms, especially rarely heard works of the past and outstanding new music. Under his…  Read More →

Director of Development phone 612-547-1452 fax 612-547-1484 elissa@vocalessence.org Elissa Weller is Director of Development for VocalEssence, overseeing all philanthropic efforts for the organization including individual, corporate, foundation, and government funding sources, major gifts, special events and fundraisers. In her role, she oversees the Development and Gala committees. Elissa joined VocalEssence in 2007 as the Chorus…  Read More →

Executive Director phone 612-547-1454 fax 612-547-1464 maryann@vocalessence.org Mary Ann Aufderheide joined VocalEssence as managing director in 2003. Under her leadership she has firmly established the VocalEssence brand name as representing excellence in choral music and community engagement programs. During her tenure the organization has expanded its core of professional singers who tour regionally and internationally;…  Read More →

Learning and Engagement Manager | Conductor, Vintage Voices phone 612-547-1458 fax 612-547-1484 robert@vocalessence.org Robert J. Graham joined the VocalEssence team in August 2012 as both a member of the administrative staff and as a second tenor in the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers.  Robert oversees the operations of the acclaimed VocalEssence WITNESS School Program. In 2015, Robert…  Read More →

Development and Marketing Associate phone 612-547-1473 fax 612-547-1484 laura@vocalessence.org Laura Holst, Development and Marketing Associate, has been on staff at VocalEssence since August 2006. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from St. Olaf College and a Master of Arts degree in arts administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. In addition…  Read More →

After more than 50 years of championing the power act of singing together, VocalEssence has been recognized by organizations around the world. We received the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for adventurous programming of contemporary music six times and has been honored with more Chorus America awards than any other ensemble nationwide, including the once-in-an-organizational-lifetime Margaret Hillis…  Read More →

Foundations VocalEssence enjoys extraordinary support from a wide variety of foundations that believe in our work. Foundation trustees and program officers are confident that VocalEssence will deliver outcomes for our audience members and program participants that meet and many times surpass their expectations. Funding partners include but are not limited to: Albrecht Family Foundation Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation…  Read More →