Press Releases

VocalEssence Ensemble Singers Channel the Celestial in ‘Divine Light’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE ENSEMBLE SINGERS CHANNEL THE CELESTIAL IN ‘DIVINE LIGHT’ The Minneapolis-based choral ensemble, joined by Ruggero Allifranchini on violin, presents two concerts at the historic Summit Center in St. Paul — Sunday, Oct. 13         MINNEAPOLIS — June 26, 2019 — The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers,…  Read More

Pick Six: Praise for VocalEssence, Lizz Wright, David Crosby, more

by Louisa Castner and Jon Bream | Star Tribune MAY 18, 2019 — 12:23AM: http://www.startribune.com/pick-six-praise-for-vocalessence-lizz-wright-david-crosby-more/510034112/ Louisa Castner of Minneapolis: 1 VocalEssence, “The Times They Are a-Changin’.” Conductors Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz III showcased Minnesota-made music, with the visionary song cycle by Steve Hackman and bold new arrangements of iconic Bob Dylan tunes. 2…  Read More

Local Vocal Group Gives Elders ‘the Sheer Joy of Making Music Together’

by Margie Newman | CitySouth Magazine May/June 2019 Issue: https://citysouthmagazine.com/local-vocal-group-gives-elders-sheer-joy-making-music-together Elders connect through song. Minneapolis-based VocalEssence recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. VocalEssence engages people of all ages and cultures through choral music programming. They perform in ensembles, provide school curricula and about four years ago they began Vintage Voices, an initiative to engage elders in choral music.…  Read More

Classical meets contemporary in VocalEssence’s take on Bob Dylan

By TERRY BLAIN | Special to the Star Tribune APRIL 29, 2019 — 10:12AM: http://www.startribune.com/classical-meets-contemporary-in-vocalessence-s-take-on-bob-dylan/509191902/ Review: Show celebrates songs by giving them new life. APRIL 29, 2019 — 10:12AM What would Bob Dylan’s songs sound like if sung by a classically trained choir of 150? Would that be sacrilege? The answer came at Saturday evening’s…  Read More

21 DE MAYO: VOCALESSENCE ¡CANTARE! CELEBRA EN EL ORDWAY “EL SONIDO DE MEXICO”

by El Minnesota de Hoy | El Minnesota de Hoy abril 23, 2019: http://www.elminnesotadehoy.com/21-de-mayo-vocalessence-cantare-celebra-en-el-ordway-el-sonido-de-mexico/ VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! invita a un compositor mexicano a escuelas de las ciudades gemelas para un enriquecedor programa de residencia artística y cultural. Minneapolis, MN. Un concierto en el Ordway celebrando la música de México cerrará este año el programa VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! y…  Read More

Twin Cities concerts of the week: Snoop Dogg, Chris Koza, VocalEssence does Dylan, Prince tributes

By Jon Bream and Chris Riemenschneider | Star Tribune APRIL 26, 2019 — 11:30AM: http://www.startribune.com/twin-cities-concerts-of-the-week-snoop-dogg-chris-koza-vocalessence-does-dylan-prince-tributes/509061512/ This week’s big gigs for April 26-May 2, also including Neko Case, Kodak Black, Arturo Sandoval, Foals and more. Snoop Dogg (Photo by Paul R. Giunta/Invision/AP) Snoop Dogg: With the Roots headed to Mystic Lake this summer, Snoop’s show this week…  Read More

Yellow Tree, Lyric Arts, Artistry: 2019-20 lineups

By Pamela Espeland | MinnPost April 24, 2019: https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2019/04/yellow-tree-lyric-arts-artistry-2019-20-lineups/ Photo by Guy Magno A scene from a previous production of “Another Miracle on Christmas Lake.” Take a break from downtown parking woes … in both cities. Good theater happens in places that have ample free parking just outside the door. Three robust theater companies have recently…  Read More

The week’s five best Twin Cities classical concerts

by Terry Blain | Star Tribune April 21, 2019 — 2:00PM: http://www.startribune.com/the-week-s-five-best-twin-cities-classical-concerts/508820582/ Ireland’s best The Palestrina Choir was formed in Dublin, Ireland, in the 1890s, with a home base at St. Mary’s pro-Cathedral. Part of a Midwest tour, the choir’s St. Paul date is definitely a must-see for choir lovers. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Cathedral of…  Read More

VocalEssence music program comes to Westview Elementary

By: Patty Dexter | SUN Thisweek Published: April 11, 2019 https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_thisweek/community/apple_valley/vocalessence-music-program-comes-to-westview-elementary/article_6c0cac8c-5bd5-11e9-8b5b-477346985913.html Two local musicians visited Westview Elementary School in Apple Valley on April 4 as part of the school’s participation in VocalEssence’s Witness program. VocalEssence is a Minnesota arts organization that “uses the power of choral music to enhance our community by producing innovative vocal…  Read More

Harding High School choir part of Mexican composer residency

By: Marjorie Otto | LillieNews PUBLISHED: Monday, 03/18/2019 – 12:00am http://www.lillienews.com/articles/2019/03/18/harding-high-school-choir-part-mexican-composer-residency Students helped compose new song to be premiered at Ordway On a recent Wednesday, the Chamber Choir at Harding High School began class with a series of warm ups before getting to work for the day, practicing an original song they helped compose. The…  Read More

VOCALESSENCE ¡CANTARE! CELEBRA ÉSTE MAYO 21 EN EL ORDWAY “EL SONIDO DE MEXICO”, UN GRAN CONCIERTO CON CIENTOS DE ESTUDIANTES LOCALES.

VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! invita a un compositor mexicano a escuelas de las ciudades gemelas como parte de un enriquecedor programa de residencia artística y cultural. Minneapolis, 24 de Enero, 2019. -Un concierto en el Ordway celebrando la música de México cerrará este año el programa VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! y dará a los estudiantes de las ciudades gemelas…  Read More

Candide by Theater Latte Da and VocalEssence

Jules | Minnesota Theater Love PUBLISHED: Sunday, March 24, 2019 http://www.mntheaterlove.com/2019/03/candide-by-theater-latte-da-and.html When: March 20-24 At: Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts Running Time: two and a half hours with intermish About: “A tale exploding with star-crossed lovers, melodramatic villains, broad comedy, and a beautiful score, Candide combines the power of opera with the delights of musical theatre. Wrapped…  Read More

2019 Spring Arts and Dining Pairings

By Lavender February 28, 2019Categories: Arts & Culture, Featured – Home Page, Food & Dining, Our Scene Produced by Linda Raines and Chris Tarbox Arts Sections by John Townsend Dining Sections by Bradley Traynor https://www.lavendermagazine.com/our-scene/arts-culture/2019-spring-arts-and-dining-pairing/ Candide Theater Latte Da at Cowles Center for Dance and Performing Arts March 21-24, 2019 Voltaire was giant of the bloody French Revolution and his angry…  Read More

Weekend Best Bets: March 22-24

This weekend around the Twin Cities: Waffle Day, classic musicals, more By Erik Tormoen | Minnesota Monthly March 21, 2019 https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/general/weekend-best-bets-march-22-24/ Candide at the Cowles What: Candide When: March 21-24, various showtimes Where: Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis It’s Leonard Bernstein’s other musical: a Broadway-bedazzled operetta, goofier than West Side, with less snapping but a…  Read More

“Candide” by VocalEssence and Theatre Latte Da at the Cowles Center

by Jill | Cherry and Spoon  Friday, March 22, 2019 Leonard Bernstein is one of the best 20th Century American composers (not to mention pianist and conductor, as I learned last year). His Candide is stunningly beautiful, but based on Voltaire’s 18th Century satirical novel, it’s a bit… weird. Twin Cities vocal ensemble VocalEssence and music-theater company Theater Latte Da have combined to…  Read More