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2022-2023 Season

Singing the world awake Join VocalEssence for our 2022-2023 Season as we explore the power of singing. From familiar favorites to new standards, this season is sure to reawaken the joy that singing brings to all of us. Hear the centuries-old Montserrat Boy Choir from Spain in concert in the Midwest for the first time,…

Singers posing on stage

Choosing Love Concert Program

The Program  VocalEssence Singers Of This Age G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor, piano Sam Reeves, keyboard Brian Kendrick, drums Choosing Love is a collaboratively curated concert experience developed through a season of continuous learning and conversation. The VocalEssence Singers Of This Age challenge us to grapple with the past and present injustices plaguing our society…

Satan falling with clouds and beams of light

Satan’s Fall Biographies

Jamie Chamberlain, soprano Praised for her “shimmering tones” and “star­ struck vulnerability” by Opera News, Greek-­American Soprano Jamie Chamberlin is recognized for her versatility as both a singer and as an actress. ArtsInLA hailed her role debut as Cunegonde in Long Beach Operaʼs Candide as “jaw­dropping”. Most recently at LBO, Ms. Chamberlin earned rave reviews for her…

VocalEssence revisits Bob Dylan classics as tour hits North Country, Red Wing

By Rob Hubbard  Star Tribune | March 29, 2022 https://www.startribune.com/vocalessence-revisits-dylan-classics/600160297/  The choral group will perform the bard’s songs in Detroit Lakes Friday, Grand Rapids Saturday and Red Wing April 30. VOCALESSENCE VocalEssence’s “Bob Dylan Revisited” Tour will include the choir, accompanied by a string quintet and piano. Well, if you’re traveling in the north country…  Read More

VocalEssence and Famed Rock Drummer Stewart Copeland of the Police Present Paradise Lost-Inspired Oratorio “Satan’s Fall”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE AND FAMED ROCK DRUMMER STEWART COPELAND OF THE POLICE PRESENT PARADISE LOST-INSPIRED ORATORIO “SATAN’S FALL” Regional premiere at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis—May 8 MINNEAPOLIS—March 31, 2021—VocalEssence will present the regional premiere of Satan’s Fall, the choral work composed by famed British rock drummer Stewart Copeland and…  Read More

Diverse High School Choir VocalEssence Singers Of This Age Celebrate Community in “Choosing Love” Concert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 jennifer@owl-marketing.com DIVERSE HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR VOCALESSENCE SINGERS OF THIS AGE CELEBRATE COMMUNITY IN “CHOOSING LOVE” CONCERT Young singers with uplifting message of acceptance perform at the Ordway in St Paul, April 24 MINNEAPOLIS—March 31, 2022—Reimagining our community as a beloved source of acceptance, affirmation, and love for every…  Read More

VocalEssence takes the music of Bob Dylan on a Minnesota Tour

Grand Rapids Herald Review | March 18, 2022 https://www.grandrapidsmn.com/news/vocalessence-takes-the-music-of-bob-dylan-on-a-minnesota-tour/article_f3180904-a4a9-11ec-aa15-a795169a94f8.html From Jimi Hendrix to the Kronos Quartet, Bob Dylan’s music has been covered by just about everyone. Members of the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers will present their own take on Minnesota’s native son.  “The Times They Are A-Changin’: The Words and Music of Bob Dylan,”…  Read More

A Ukrainian Prayer

There are times where it is difficult to know how to respond to tragedy. On the evening of Ash Wednesday, composer John Rutter heard Valentin Silvestrov’s choral setting of the following text, “Good Lord, protect Ukraine. Give her strength, courage, faith, hope. Amen.” He decided to use his talents to compose his own setting of…  Read More

In loving memory of Sigrid Johnson (1952—2022)

So many thoughts fill my mind thinking of dear Sigrid, affectionately known to all singers as “Ears Johnson” for she truly had the most amazing way of discerning the sound of each individual voice. For 24 years at VocalEssence she was my colleague, my musical conscience, a joyful supporter for a great realm of music,…

Celebrating Black Choral Music All Year Long

Mike Rowan  Chorus America | February 25, 2022 https://chorusamerica.org/node/17948 Black History Month was first celebrated in 1924 as “Negro History Week,” founded by Black historian Carter G. Woodson with the aim that Black students in particular would be formally taught about their own heritage and the contributions of African Americans in their schools. As Black History Month…  Read More

A vocal witness

Jeff Wheeler Instagram and Star Tribune Metro Section  | March 4, 2022   Members of The Aeolians, including Laila Darville, center, sang during rehearsal with the VocalEssence Chorus and VocalEssence Singers of This Age, a choir made up of Twin Cities high school kids Tuesday night at Orchestra Hall ahead of their concert this Sunday…  Read More

‘Midwinter’ heats up with plethora of weekend events

By Sheila Regan MinnPost | March 3, 2022 https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2022/03/midwinter-heats-up-with-plethora-of-weekend-events/?fbclid=IwAR0tuVjmxPdbyAK319SueeYnXugY5Lns98LMibnlx4rUYX24uoEBDh2EveI There’s flamenco happening in St. Paul at Park Square, and gallery reception happening at Macalester with four really interesting artists that are looking at history and memory in unusual ways. Congratulations. We’ve gotten past the direst cold months and welcome a reprieve as we officially enter “midwinter.”…  Read More

Send in the voices

by John Birge YourClassical | February 28, 2022 https://www.yourclassical.org/story/2022/02/28/send-in-the-voices A world of great voices comes to the Land of 10,000 choirs this week. Honored with the title “Choir of the World” at the World Choir Games in 2017, The Aeolians is a student choir from Oakwood University, an HBCU in Huntsville Alabama. They inspire you…  Read More

The big gigs: 10 concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

By Chris Riemenschneider, Jon Bream and Rob Hubbard  Star Tribune | March 2, 2022 https://www.startribune.com/the-big-gigs-10-concerts-to-see-in-the-twin-cities-dua-lipa-connie-han-kiss-the-tiger-rick-wakeman/600152050/ Live music highlights for March 4-9 include Dua Lipa, First Ave’s Best New Bands, the Beths, VocalEssence and more. Friday, March 4 First Avenue’s Best New Bands: Don’t worry, the two-month postponement of this annual roundup of Minnesota buzzmakers didn’t take away any of…  Read More

Azure Anderson

Executive Assistant phone 612-547-1472 azure@vocalessence.org Azure Anderson joined the VocalEssence team in October 2021 as the Executive Assistant. Azure provides direct administrative support to VocalEssence leadership, facilitating the success of the artistic and administrative goals of the organization. She works with the Artistic Director, Associate Artistic Director, and Executive Director to ensure effective organization wide operation.…  Read More