MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (October 26, 2009) — The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, joined by special guests the Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester, will Sing in the New Year with a festive community concert at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church (12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN) on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 4 pm. Seating is by general admission and tickets ($15 adults, $10 students/children) are available by calling 612-371-5656 or online at www.vocalessence.org.
 
The 32-voice VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, a professional chorus based in Minneapolis, are known for their appearances on A Prairie Home Companion; recently, they toured some of England’s most prestigious cathedrals and concert halls. Their artistic director, Philip Brunelle, has been honored with numerous awards for his contributions to the field of choral music, including the Kodaly Medal (Hungary), Royal Order of the Polar Star (Sweden), F. Melius Christiansen Award (American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota), Michael Korn Award (Chorus America), honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), and Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.
 
The Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester will sing works ranging from Latin motets to American classics under the musical leadership of Artistic Director Michael Culloton. The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers will perform several works commissioned by VocalEssence as well as music from their tour of England. Following intermission, both choirs will join together for a varied set of music by composers from England, Germany, Argentina, and America.
 
“It will be wonderful to work with Michael and his excellent group of singers,” said VocalEssence Artistic Director Philip Brunelle, adding, “We’re both looking forward to singing together in Shepherd of the Valley’s beautiful sanctuary – located between our home bases in Minneapolis and Rochester. This is the kind of collaboration VocalEssence really enjoys and we know it will be a delightful experience for the audience.”

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary season, the forty voices of Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester are equally dedicated to the creation and performance of exciting new music as well as works from the Renaissance to the 20th Century. The Ensemble also coordinates the Rosemary and Meredith Willson Harmony for Mayo Program, a program of Mayo Center for Humanities in Medicine with free weekly concerts. The group was founded by Rick Kvam in 1985; Michael Culloton has led the group for the past four years.

For public information and tickets for Sing in the New Year, call 612-371-5656. For press information and photographs, contact Jennifer Bauer (612-547-1459, jbauer@vocalessence.org).

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Sing in the New Year Repertoire

Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester:

Two Latin Motets
Palestrina, Exultate Deo
Kentaro Sato, Misericordias Domini (25th Anniversary commissioning contest winner)
 
Advent to Christmas
Tarik O’Regan, Threshold of Night
Craig Carnahan, If In Your Heart (Ninth Annual Mary Joyce Frantz Memorial Christmas Carol Commission)

American Traditions
René Clausen, Simple Gifts
arr. Eugene Simpson, Hold On!
 

VocalEssence Ensemble Singers:
 
Kitty Brazelton, O JOY!
Bob Chilcott, The Heart-in-Waiting
Julian Anderson, “Beautiful Valley of Eden” from Four American Choruses  
Eric Whitacre, Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine
Moses Hogan, My Soul’s Been Anchored

INTERMISSION

Combined choruses:

Felix Mendelssohn, Frohlocket
C. Hubert H. Parry, My Soul, There is a Country
Charles V. Stanford, Coelos Ascendit Hodie
Charles V. Stanford, Beati Quorum Via
Ola Gjeillo, Unicornis Captivatur
Moses Hogan, This Little Light of Mine
Arthur Warrell, A Merry Christmas