Don Lee |  Chorus America January 10, 2019 https://www.chorusamerica.org/node/9195 North American choruses are anticipating a wave of major anniversaries in the coming years, and their leaders are hard at work preparing to mark the occasions. The most thoughtful celebrations honor a chorus’s past achievements, while laying the groundwork for an even stronger future. Brace yourself. In…  Read More →

Christy DeSmith | Star Tribune JANUARY 25, 2019 — 11:36PM http://www.startribune.com/best-of-the-week-city-of-lakes-loppet-dorothy-kurosawa-frozen-singalong/504825212/ Looking for a fun outing with your Elsa-crazed preschooler? VocalEssence hosts a trio of “Frozen Movie Sing-Along” events on Saturday, led by the group’s sparkling choristers. Screenings take place at the American Swedish Institute, which — let’s be honest — parents could easily pass off…  Read More →

Jessica Armbruster City Pages  Friday, January 18, 2019  http://www.citypages.com/arts/rock-shows-vinyl-sales-artcarsartbikes-35-free-things-to-do-this-weekend/504445441 Check out all this free stuff happening this weekend. SATURDAY: Together We Sing Festival A celebration of MLK weekend featuring VocalEssence, Mila Vocal Ensemble, G. Phillip Shoultz III, and Cameroon Choir, with community building, breakout sessions with teaching artists, and a service project benefitting Ujamaa Place. Registration…  Read More →

By Deb Mazzacco  Pioneer Press January 18, 2019—5:24 pm https://www.twincities.com/2019/01/18/martin-luther-king-jr-day-events-2019/ Here’s a roundup of Minneapolis and St. Paul events Saturday, Sunday and Monday commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. SATURDAY, JAN. 19-MONDAY, JAN. 21 St. Paul: MLK Weekend at the Minnesota History Center. Family art activities, service projects, performances, closing of “The 1968 Exhibit,” noon to 3 p.m.…  Read More →

A musical visionary and tireless self-promoter, VocalEssence founder Philip Brunelle is a world-renowned force. 

By Terry Blain | Special to the Star Tribune January 13, 2019 — 2:00PM: http://www.startribune.com/the-week-s-five-best-twin-cities-classical-concerts/504230712/ Taking the podium Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto hurt his arm, so he can’t deliver the solo he planned for this week. But the injury won’t stop him from conducting a stimulating program for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Music includes Missy Mazzoli’s…  Read More →

By Pamela Espeland January 17, 2019: https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2019/01/mlk-celebrations-and-concerts-mr-poppers-penguins-at-childrens-theatre/ Monday is Martin Luther King Day, and the weekend will light up with celebrations of his life. Tuesday this week would have been his 89th birthday. Imagine if he had lived past 39. Although it’s not billed specifically as an MLK event, VocalEssence’s annual “Together We Sing” festival on Saturday (Jan.…  Read More →

By Pamela Espeland |  December 7, 2018: https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2018/12/arts-accessibility-nonprofit-to-close-in-2019-vocalessences-welcome-christmas-2018/ The picks Friday through Sunday: VocalEssence: Welcome Christmas 2018. For many Minnesotans, VocalEssence’s annual holiday concert is a beloved tradition. But there’s never been a Welcome Christmas concert like this. Along with a world premiere by composer Nico Muhly – Philip Glass’ former assistant, now one of the most sought-after composers…  Read More →

byAlaina Rooke | December 5, 2018: https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_post/community/a-measured-breath-but-no-rest-for-golden-valley-music/article_74816f46-f75e-11e8-9af1-b771ceaf37f4.html Top Minnesota choir director and longtime resident Philip Brunelle looks to 50th year   “One of my mottos is you don’t know if you don’t ask,” explained Philip Brunelle of attracting top guest talent to VocalEssence, a premier choral organization he founded in 1969. “You have a 50-percent chance of…  Read More →