Behold This Heavenly Night A collection of 22 Christmas carols ranging from the familiar strains of “Jingle Bells” or “Ding Dong! Merrily on High” to the world premiere recordings of a number of winning carols selected through the annual “Welcome Christmas Carol Contest” (sponsored each year by VocalEssence and American Composers Forum). Available at all… Read More →
VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum (ACF) announce a call for scores for the ninth annual Essentially Choral reading session, a unique opportunity for talented, emerging composers to write for voices and instruments. Through this program, Essentially Choral seeks creative and innovative works in a wide range of styles and provides a unique opportunity for… Read More →
The director and cast made the most of the silly business of the John Philip Sousa operetta.By William Randall Beard, Special to the Star TribuneOctober 9, 2010 Philip Brunelle’s love affair with “El Capitan” began when he discovered John Philip Sousa’s operetta in the archives of the Library of Congress. He led a production at… Read More →
By Rob Hubbard, Special to the Pioneer PressSaturday, October 9, 2010 You know that old saw about the actor who says, “What I really want to do is direct?” Well, who would think that the master of the march, John Philip Sousa, really wanted to be America’s answer to British comic operetta composers Gilbert and… Read More →
Song of the Stars features Douglas Riva, Gerardo Rábago and 125 singers MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (October 8, 2010) – Discovered again nearly 100 years after its 1911 Barcelona premiere, Enrique Granados’s Cant de les Estrelles (Song of the Stars) is truly a masterpiece. Written as a virtuoso piano concerto for the composer himself and accompanied by… Read More →
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (September 9, 2010) — VocalEssence is pleased to announce that Malia Cole has joined its staff in the position of Director of Marketing and Public Relations. A native of Maple Grove, Malia comes to VocalEssence with valuable strengths in marketing and communications gained through a wide range of experience with non-profit, music and… Read More →
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers Twin Cities Bronze (handbell ensemble), organ and violin Philip Brunelle, conductor Saturday, December 4 at 7:30 pm—Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley Sunday, December 5 at 4 pm—Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis Friday, December 10 at 7:30 pm—Normandale Lutheran Church, Edina Saturday, December 11 at 7:30 pm—Trinity Lutheran Church,… Read More →
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (August 4, 2010) – When Philip Brunelle and Garrison Keillor combine their musical and storytelling talents for a concert, a very special event awaits. Mix in an American holiday full of family and nostalgia and you have the theme for this year’s VocalEssence Thanksgiving concert, Gratitude, Gravy & Garrison. Gratitude, Gravy & Garrison… Read More →
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (August 4, 2010) – When Philip Brunelle and Garrison Keillor combine their musical and storytelling talents for a concert, a very special event awaits. Mix in an American holiday full of family and nostalgia and you have the theme for this year’s VocalEssence Thanksgiving concert, Gratitude, Gravy & Garrison. Gratitude, Gravy & Garrison… Read More →
Semi-staged production starring Bradley Greenwald will be directed by Vern Sutton MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (June 21, 2010) – The VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers will open the 2010-2011 season with a semi-staged rendition of John Philip Sousa’s comic opera El Capitan. Written in the style of Gilbert & Sullivan, Bradley Greenwald stars in this classic piece… Read More →
Semi-staged production starring Bradley Greenwald will be directed by Vern Sutton MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (June 21, 2010) – The VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers will open the 2010-2011 season with a semi-staged rendition of John Philip Sousa’s comic opera El Capitan. Written in the style of Gilbert & Sullivan, Bradley Greenwald stars in this classic piece… Read More →
VocalEssence program links Mexican composers with area schools, churches and choral organizations MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (May 12, 2010) – Over 300 area students and community members will join the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers to perform the world premieres of brand new works, written specifically for them by Mexican composers taking part in the VocalEssence ¡Cantaré!… Read More →
By WILL FRIEDWALD for the Wall Street Journal Minneapolis — May 5, 2010 For most of the history of jazz and American pop, the vibraphone has ruled unchallenged as the leading mallet instrument. Not so, however, in international classical and folk music circles—here the marimba reigns supreme. Its dominance was vividly illustrated at “Marimba 2010,”… Read More →
VocalEssence program links Mexican composers with area schools, churches and choral organizations MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (May 4, 2010) – Over 300 area students and community members will join the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers to perform the world premieres of brand new works, written specifically for them by Mexican composers taking part in the VocalEssence ¡Cantaré!… Read More →
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (April 7, 2010) — The Alliance Française de Minneapolis and St. Paul is honoring two Minnesotans for their dedication to promoting French language and culture with the prestigious Médaillons de l’Alliance Française. The Award of Excellence will be given to Philip Brunelle, internationally renowned artistic director of VocalEssence, for featuring no less than… Read More →
