Search Results
The Uncertainty of a Poet – Franklin, Cary John / Philip’s Favorites (2023-2024)
My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord – Spiritual, Negro / Philip’s Favorites (2023-2024)
Amy Jaine Wielunski
Executive Director phone 612-547-1454 amy@vocalessence.org Amy Jaine Wielunski joined VocalEssence as executive director in 2024 and is a non-profit leader with 22 years’ experience of cross-functional work at organizations with local, state-wide, and national reach. She has a proven track record as a collaborative and influential relationship builder with deep knowledge of business operations, workplace… Read More →
Concert: Voices for a Cathedral
Apr 4, 2025 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Let the engaging sounds of music by Scottish composer and conductor Sir James MacMillan captivate you. MacMillan’s music draws from his Scottish heritage, strong Catholic faith, and social conscience, and is influenced by Celtic folk music as well as Far Eastern, Scandinavian, and Eastern European music. Hear 7 Twin Cities church choirs join forces to…
VocalEssence 2024-2025 Season
Jun 24, 2024 @ 10:00 am - May 24, 2025 @ 5:00 pm
Seasons of Song Join VocalEssence as we celebrate 56 seasons of singing together. From a performance of the musical journey of Swedish immigrants brought to life by the legendary ABBA songwriters Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, and collaborations with the Bach Society of Minnesota and Northrop, to a week-long festival featuring the music of world-renowned…
2024-2025 Season Press Photos
To Download: Click on the image in the gallery below and a high resolution version will appear for download. For press/promotional use related to VocalEssence events only.
Concert: Philip’s Favorites II, May 4
May 4, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
“Incredible music flawlessly presented and deeply moving. I would come to a performance of Philip’s Additional Favorites every year.” —Philip’s Favorites Audience Member Back by popular demand! VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director Philip Brunelle has more favorite pieces—along with the stories behind the music—from the past 56 years to share. Join the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers…
Concert: Philip’s Favorites II, May 3
May 3, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
“Incredible music flawlessly presented and deeply moving. I would come to a performance of Philip’s Additional Favorites every year.” —Philip’s Favorites Audience Member Back by popular demand! VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director Philip Brunelle has more favorite pieces—along with the stories behind the music—from the past 56 years to share. Join the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers…
Philip’s Favorites II
Two Performances Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 4 PM Larson Hall, American Swedish Institute 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 4 PM Larson Hall, American Swedish Institute 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN “Incredible music flawlessly presented and deeply moving. I would come to a performance of Philip’s Additional Favorites every year.” —Philip’s Favorites…
Concert: Sacred Voices
Apr 6, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Sir James MacMillan is a world-renowned Scottish composer and conductor whose belief in the spiritual power of music is evident in all his works. Guided by his strong faith, his music creatively uses melody and dissonance to tell the story of the beauty—and challenging complexity—of life on earth. Join VocalEssence, the U of M University…
CONCERT: WITNESS: Eyes Still On the Prize
Feb 23, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Be part of the journey to “keep your eyes on the prize and hold on” as you sing and experience the weaving together of stories that connect our past struggles to our present pursuit of an equitable future for all. VocalEssence joins forces with a collective of Twin Cities-based artists—actors, dancers, storytellers, and musicians—presenting songs…
Concert: Mending the Sky
May 17, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Taking inspiration from a Chinese fable where a rip in the sky causes the earth to split open, this concert explores love and loss, life and death, and ultimately invites us to work towards transformation and reconciliation. Through the powerful combination of voice and percussion, the VocalEssence Chorus will perform movements from Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Brahms’s…
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio 2024
Two Performances Friday, December 13, 2024 at 7:30 PM St. Paul’s United Church of Christ 900 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 4 PM Westwood Lutheran Church 9001 Cedar Lake Rd, St. Louis Park, MN “Shout for joy!” Back by popular demand, the Bach Society of Minnesota and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers renew…
Concert: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio 2024, Dec 14
Dec 14 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
“Shout for joy!” Back by popular demand, the Bach Society of Minnesota and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers renew their collaboration to tell one of the greatest musical Christmas stories of all time. Hear three cantatas from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio as well as Cantata 40, originally written for the second day of Christmas. Nearly…