By Pamela Espeland | 10:05 am August 31, 2018 https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2018/08/vocalessence-on-tour-in-mexico-peter-lorre-series-at-the-trylon/ The news about U.S.-Mexico relations continues to seesaw. After threats, tariffs and retaliatory tariffs, there’s a new free-trade deal in the works. There’s endless talk about a border wall and who will or won’t pay for it. ICE raids keep netting Mexican nationals. But this…  Read More →

Philip Brunelle has been the song leader of the Twin Cities for 50 years. But how he got there? It wasn’t all a joyful song. by Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl June 18, 2018: http://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/how-philip-brunelle-became-the-twin-cities-song-leader/ Philip Brunelle is 75 years old and an international icon in choir circles, and if you follow him around on a typical Tuesday night…  Read More →

By Pamela Espeland | 08:22 am https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2018/07/vocalessence-perform-mexico-city-bodycartography-project-wam If you want to see the Minnesota Orchestra in August, you’ll have to go to London or South Africa. Same for the Minnesota Chorale, which will send 50 singers to South Africa to perform with the orchestra and a local choir. And if you want to see the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers in late August and early…  Read More →

June 4, 2018 by Paige Elliott http://spokesman-recorder.com/2018/06/04/vocalessence-marks-milestone-season-with-new-voices-unique-collaborations/ Minneapolis-based choral organization VocalEssence has recently unveiled the musical offerings for its jubilee 50th season. Highlighting a diverse lineup of concerts and programming, the nonprofit’s 2018-2019 season promises outdoor summer sing-alongs, a new family series, and musical celebrations of inclusion, perseverance and identity. The season kicks off in August with…  Read More →

VocalEssence artistic staff Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz, III were featured on Steele Talkin’ with Jearlyn Steele June 3, 2018 to talk about the VocalEssence 50th Season. Check out the interview below.  

By Pamela Espeland | 08:32 am https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2018/05/vocalessence-plans-imaginative-50th-anniversary-season-23rd-annual-art-whirl-northe If you saw yesterday’s Artscape and Theater Latté Da’s season announcement, you already know part of VocalEssence’s big 50th-anniversary reveal: a collaboration with Latté Da. But that’s the tip of the iceberg (this is the North, after all) of a truly astonishing, wildly imaginative season. Before we get into that, a brief history: In 2015,…  Read More →

By ROSS RAIHALA | rraihala@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press PUBLISHED: May 17, 2018 at 2:31 pm | UPDATED: May 17, 2018 at 3:50 pm https://www.twincities.com/2018/05/17/vocalessences-50th-season-features-movie-singalongs-bob-dylan-tribute-and-free-tickets-for-kids/ Two movie singalongs, a new work honoring Minnesota’s own Bob Dylan and a world premiere from young star composer Nico Muhly are on tap for VocalEssence’s newly announced 50th season. Season tickets are on sale now. For the…  Read More →

ANALYSIS: VocalEssence’s anniversary season is full of retrospectives, co-presentations and a strong commitment to diversity. By Terry Blain Special to the Star Tribune MAY 15, 2018 — 2:53PM http://www.startribune.com/vocalessence-marks-50th-season-with-hits-premieres-and-a-big-show-with-theater-latt-da/482706891/ It’s been 50 years since an ambitious young Minnesotan named Philip Brunelle was appointed organist and choirmaster at Minneapolis’ Plymouth Congregational Church. One of his first big…  Read More →

By Terry Blain Special to the Star Tribune APRIL 19, 2018 — 11:49AM http://www.startribune.com/choral-legend-lands-in-minnesota-with-music-composed-especially-for-vocalessence/480270893/ Englishman John Rutter is a phenomenon in the world of choral music, celebrated worldwide for the easy melodiousness of his music — and the joy it brings to those who sing it. His Minnesota connections date back more than three decades, to…  Read More →

14 schools, 56 students, one groundbreaking choir. by Les Poling Posted February 13, 2018 “Together we sing.” That phrase, according to VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III, is more than VocalEssence’s official tagline. It’s a hands-on philosophy the entire group takes to heart, especially the new VocalEssence Youth Choir. Creating community has been VocalEssence’s mission since the…  Read More →