Press Releases

NORTHERN MINNESOTA GETS A SONG AND STORY-FILLED VISIT FROM MARK TWAIN AND VOCALESSENCE

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com NORTHERN MINNESOTA GETS A SONG AND STORY-FILLED VISIT FROM MARK TWAIN AND VOCALESSENCE Don Shelby reunites with choral ensemble plus fiddler Sara Pajunen for “River Songs and Tales with Mark Twain Northern Minnesota Tour” —April 4-8             MINNEAPOLIS — February 1, 2018 — Even in the land of 10,000 lakes,…  Read More

Langston Hughes and The Harlem Renaissance Revived in VocalEssence WITNESS: Of Such I Dream

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com   LANGSTON HUGHES AND THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE REVIVED IN VOCALESSENCE WITNESS: OF SUCH I DREAM Celebrate jazz poet and activist Langston Hughes at the world premiere of William Banfield’s ‘I Trust Harlem Is Still There’ and the debut of new VocalEssence Youth Choir—February 18 MINNEAPOLIS—October 2017—Our dreams inspire our actions and…  Read More

VocalEssence serves up fresh Christmas music by Minnesota composers

By Terry Blain Special to the Star Tribune DECEMBER 5, 2017 — 11:12 AM http://www.startribune.com/vocalessence-serves-up-fresh-christmas-music-by-minnesota-composers/462093203/   Musically speaking, Christmas can be an excuse for endless stuck-in-a-loop recycling. Concerts are packed with carols we’ve heard hundreds of times before, served up as comfort listening for a frantic holiday season. I love those old songs, too. And yet…  Read More

VocalEssence offers a sweet, homegrown holiday sampler

By ROB HUBBARD | Special to the Pioneer Press PUBLISHED: December 3, 2017 at 4:53 pm | UPDATED: December 3, 2017 at 5:15 pm http://www.twincities.com/2017/12/03/vocalessence-offers-a-sweet-homegrown-holiday-sampler/ When the Minnesota Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra were both announced as Grammy nominees last week, it served as a reminder that the Twin Cities area is a great place to live if you’re…  Read More

VocalEssence marks ‘Finnish miracle’ with choral music, folk fiddling

Review: VocalEssence and Osmo Vänskä on clarinet teamed up for a powerful concert. By Michael Anthony Special to the Star Tribune Posted 9/25/17 — 1:33 PM People speak of “the Finnish miracle,” referring to the surprising number of important musicians produced by the little country (population 5.5 million): conductors, singers, virtuoso instrumentalists. Celebrations of Finland’s centennial…  Read More

VocalEssence Announces Season Lineup for Extraordinary 49th Year

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE ANNOUNCES LINEUP FOR EXTRAORDINARY 49TH YEAR Stellar artistic performances, unique educational programming, and enriching community engagement on track for Twin Cities choral organization’s 2017-2018 season MINNEAPOLIS—APRIL 24, 2017—Nationally renowned choral organization VocalEssence today announces its 49th season. The 2017-2018 season will give VocalEssence opportunities to further extend its reach…  Read More

North Star State Talent Takes Center Stage at Free ‘Welcome to Minneapolis’ Concert

Free event in celebration of ACDA conference will feature work from major Minnesota choral artists, composers, and a Garrison Keillor sing-along—March 7 MINNEAPOLIS—FEBRUARY 28, 2017—The best way to say welcome is to sing it! It’s especially true when you’re welcoming members of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) to town. That’s why VocalEssence, Minnesota’s internationally…  Read More

VocalEssence Hires Jeffrey Bina as Director of Finance and Operations

Nonprofit choral performance and community engagement organization VocalEssence has hired Jeffrey Bina as its new Director of Finance and Operations. Bina joins the organization from Twin Cities-based men’s vocal ensemble Cantus, where he served as Operations and Finance Manager. At Cantus, he directed the logistical aspects of its local concert season, overseeing everything from venue…  Read More

VocalEssence Welcomes Four New Board Members

  CONTACT: Katrina Wallmeyer 612-547-1472 katrina@vocalessence.org VOCALESSENCE WELCOMES FOUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS MINNEAPOLIS — August 25, 2016 — Minneapolis-based arts organization VocalEssence announced today that four new members have joined its Board of Directors—Steve Aggergaard, Julie Bader, Julie Craven, and Nancy Nelson.  All four new board members have a wealth of experience and have been…  Read More

VocalEssence Explores the Seasons of Life with “The Voyage”

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE EXPLORES THE SEASONS OF LIFE WITH “THE VOYAGE” Acclaimed choral ensemble kicks off 48th season exploring challenges and triumphs in a musical journey through life, marked by the words of Shakespeare—October 16   MINNEAPOLIS—AUGUST 26, 2016—Internationally recognized choral music organization VocalEssence, who earlier this summer performed with Italian singing…  Read More

VocalEssence Brings Choral Music Luminaries to Minneapolis for Historic Community Sing

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com   VOCALESSENCE BRINGS CHORAL MUSIC LUMINARIES TO MINNEAPOLIS FOR HISTORIC COMMUNITY SING Join in song with nonagenarian choral legend Alice Parker and long-time Sweet Honey In The Rock® star Ysaÿe Barnwell at Community Sing with VocalEssence—October 15   MINNEAPOLIS—JULY 12, 2016—For the first Community Sing of its 48th season, Minneapolis’s premier choral ensemble…  Read More

VocalEssence Ends the Year with Lullabies and Latin Rhythms in ¡Cantaré!

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE ENDS THE YEAR WITH LULLABIES AND LATIN RHYTHMS IN ¡CANTARÉ! Local choral ensemble premieres new music written by Mexican composers and local students in ¡Cantaré! Community Concerts—May 23  MINNEAPOLIS—April 26, 2016—Experience the music of our southern neighbors at a multi-generational fiesta as nationally-acclaimed choral ensemble VocalEssence sings alongside school choirs in…  Read More

Songwriters Wanted—VocalEssence ReMix Seeks Emerging Artists

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com SONGWRITERS WANTED — VOCALESSENCE REMIX SEEKS EMERGING ARTISTS Choral group’s mentorship competition for new MN composers open for entries through July 1 MINNEAPOLIS—APRIL 26, 2016—Minnesota’s leading nonprofit choral organization, VocalEssence, is calling for emerging songwriters and composers across the state to apply for VocalEssence ReMix, a life-changing opportunity for young artists. “If…  Read More