Star Tribune: Two choirs offer songs of the holiday
From carols to a Stephen Paulus oratorio and much in-between, VocalEssence and The Singers ignite the season in song. By WILLIAM RANDALL BEARD , Special to the Star Tribune Updated:… Read More →
Press Releases
American Public Media presents national broadcast of “Welcome Christmas”
St. Paul, Minn. (December 2011) — The best way to welcome Christmas is Welcome Christmas!, the VocalEssence holiday concert. Long a favorite from their appearances on A Prairie Home Companion,… Read More →
VocalEssence Holiday Music to Air on Minnesota Public Radio; distributed by American Public Media
(Minneapolis—November 17, 2011) Concerts from the 2010-2011 VocalEssence Season are slated for broadcast on Classical MPR and nationally via APM during this holiday season. Welcome Christmas, hosted by John Birge,… Read More →
Singers welcome at VocalEssence “Community Sings”
Sing with Vocalessence— no audition required! Advance registration for this event is now closed. On-site registration will open at 1:30pm on Sunday, November 13th. We look forward to seeing you there!… Read More →
“From the Land of Sky Blue Waters” – A new compact disc released by VocalEssence
Purchase the CD at Gothic Records “The state’s foremost choral ambassadors have just released a CD that lends their lush, full-voiced sound to an expansive variety of Minnesota-made music.”—Rob Hubbard,… Read More →
Star Tribune: New works fire VocalEssence season opener
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”… Read More →
University of Minnesota School of Music confers Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree on Philip Brunelle at Fall Convocation
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… Read More →
VocalEssence debuts 2011-2012 Season with new works by giants of contemporary music: William Bolcom and Michael Daugherty
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… Read More →
Philip Brunelle & Ensemble Singers appearing at MN State Fair
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… Read More →
Philip Brunelle & Ensemble Singers appearing at MN State Fair
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… Read More →
VocalEssence announces promotion of Mary Ann Pulk to role of Executive Director
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… Read More →
Highway 23 Revisited: VocalEssence Hits the Road for a Minnesota Tour
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… Read More →
Deadline: August 5 for Carol Contest Submissions
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… Read More →
¡Cantaré! Program featured in Choral Journal
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)
Katrina Vander Kooi named new VocalEssence Director of Development
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… Read More →