VocalEssence News
For Immediate Release
Contact: Katryn Conlin, 612-547-1459

American Composers Forum and VocalEssence announce winners of 2007 Essentially Choral reading program

Minneapolis (April 10, 2007) – Five composers have been selected from a field of 128 entries representing 35 states to participate in the May 2007 Essentially Choral reading session. Essentially Choral provides an opportunity for emerging composers from across the country to develop their skills in writing for choral ensemble. The program is co-sponsored by American Composers Forum and VocalEssence with the generous support of the Jerome Foundation. The selected composers are:

Cary Boyce (Bloomington, IN): "The Magi"
Kitty Brazelton (New York City): "Love, I Know, Beyond a Doubt"
Gao Hong (Northfield, MN): “Coming of Spring”
Aya Nishina (New York City): “Sleeping in Dew”
Matthew Peterson (Bloomington, IN): “Miserere Mei”

Over the course of two days in May, the participants will hear their works-in-progress read by the 32-voice VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, a professional mixed chorus. Some of the works call for instrumentalists as well. In conjunction with the reading sessions, the composers will attend mentoring sessions with both VocalEssence Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and internationally recognized composer Libby Larsen. This unique opportunity is further enriched by professional development seminars for the selected composers, led by Philip Brunelle, Libby Larsen and American Composers Forum staff.

One of the selected composers may also receive a $3,500 commission to write a new work to be premiered by VocalEssence during its 2007-2008 concert season.

Essentially Choral will take place on Friday, May 18, 2007 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. (rehearsal) at Plymouth Congregational Church and on Saturday, May 19, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (recording session) at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. The reading sessions are free and open to the public.

For more information about Essentially Choral, visit www.vocalessence.org, or call VocalEssence Director of Community Engagement Kimberly Meisten (612-547-1456, kmeisten@vocalessence.org). For additional press information, contact Katryn Conlin, 612-547-1459 or kconlin@vocalessence.org.

###

Founded in 1969, VocalEssence explores music for voices and instruments under the enthusiastic direction of conductor Philip Brunelle.

VocalEssence
1900 Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403 USA
www.vocalessence.org