By William Randall Beard, Star TribuneOctober 10, 2011 At Orchestra Hall on Sunday afternoon, VocalEssence gave the regional premieres of two monumental works the organization had co-commissioned: William Bolcom’s “Prometheus” and Michael Daugherty’s “Mount Rushmore (2010) for Chorus and Orchestra.” Under artistic director Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence was joined by Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and Magnum Chorum,… Read More →
Minneapolis, MN (October 6, 2011) — The University of Minnesota School of Music will confer an honorary degree on internationally renowned conductor and VocalEssence Artistic Director Philip Brunelle today at the U of M School of Music’s Fall Convocation at Ted Mann Concert Hall. The Doctor of Humane Letters is the highest award conferred by… Read More →
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (September 12, 2011) — The 2011-2012 VocalEssence concert season debuts with The Gift of Fire, presenting two new pieces, William Bolcom’s Prometheus and Michael Daugherty’s Mount Rushmore on Sunday, October 9, 2011 (4 pm) at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. A tremendous massed choir, including the voices of the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers,… Read More →
Who: VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, Conductor Philip Brunelle and Host John Birge What: Minnesota State Fair Performance Where: Carousel Park Stage (near the Grandstand) When: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 2 pm Why: It’s MPR Day at the Fair and VocalEssence will be there to celebrate! Join us for a very special show with host John… Read More →
Who: VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, Conductor Philip Brunelle and Host John Birge What: Minnesota State Fair Performance Where: Carousel Park Stage (near the Grandstand) When: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 2 pm Why: It’s MPR Day at the Fair and VocalEssence will be there to celebrate! Join us for a very special show with host John… Read More →
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (August 29, 2011) — Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and the Board of VocalEssence are pleased to announce that Mary Ann Pulk, who has served as Managing Director of VocalEssence since 2003, has been promoted to the role of Executive Director. “A major part of what makes VocalEssence so successful is the blend of… Read More →
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (July 22, 2011) — Twin Cities based VocalEssence is hitting scenic Minnesota Highway 23 for the North Star Tour, performing in 5 cities before returning to Saint Paul for a homecoming performance at The Fitzgerald Theater. The tour kicks off October 28 in Marshall, continuing through the cities of Luverne, Montevideo, Duluth and… Read More →
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (July 11, 2011) — Every year since 1998, VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum have challenged composers to write brand new Christmas carols. And each year the challenge has varied – composers have written carols for chorus with a variety of instruments, including cello, French horn, harp, guitar and handbells. This year’s challenge… Read More →
The VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Program was featured in June/July 2011 issue of Choral Journal. The comprehensive story details the accomplishments of the program in its first three years. (Download PDF)
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (June 14, 2011) — VocalEssence is pleased to announce that Katrina Vander Kooi is stepping into its Director of Development position. Vander Kooi joined VocalEssence in 2008 as a Development Campaign Coordinator, soon followed by a move to Associate Director of Development. In her new position as Director of Development, she will be… Read More →
MINNEAPOLIS (May 16, 2011) Today Ana Luisa Fajer, the Consul of Mexico in St. Paul, presented VocalEssence Artistic Director Philip Brunelle with the Ohtli Recognition Award at the quarterly VocalEssence board meeting in downtown Minneapolis. Once a year, the government of Mexico presents this award to a civilian living outside the country for contributions made to the empowerment of Mexican… Read More →
By: Jane Turpin Moore, Worthington Daily Globe, April 26, 2011 WORTHINGTON — Lake Okabena and its surrounding prairies inspired Mexican composer Jesus Echevarria last fall as he visited Worthington for the first time and prepared to create new music expressly for District 518 student singers. Now the finished works are ready to be performed, along… Read More →
VocalEssence’s thrilling reading was paired with filmmaker Bastian Cleve’s life’s work, a mixed blessing. Article by WILLIAM RANDALL BEARD, Special to the Star Tribune Updated: April 10, 2011 – 6:00 PM In our increasingly media-dominated world, classical musicians are increasingly trying to find new ways to engage this audience. The new Gehry Concert Hall in… Read More →
Friday, April 8, 2011 (8 pm) Saturday, April 9, 2011 (8pm) St. Olaf Catholic Church Minneapolis, MN Tickets: $13.50-$43.50 (Service charges apply. Student and group discounts are available.) To order, call 612-371-5656 or purchase online at www.vocalessence.org MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (January 27, 2011) – VocalEssence and Conductor Philip Brunelle with the Lyra Baroque Orchestra and… Read More →
Patricia Mitchell, president and CEO of the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in St. Paul, is already a big fan of one of Bach’s masterpieces, “Mass in B Minor.” Patricia says German filmmaker Bastian Cleve and VocalEssence will make the work a feast for the eyes and ears in “The Sound of Eternity.” VocalEssence will… Read More →
