FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Jennifer Weismann
612-716-0556
jennifer@owl-marketing.com

VOCALESSENCE ANNOUNCES 2022-2023 SEASON, “SINGING THE WORLD AWAKE,”
CELEBRATING THE JOY AND POWER OF SINGING
All VocalEssence choirs will perform together for the first time in monumental new season

MINNEAPOLIS—June 22, 2022—VocalEssence—one of the world’s premier choral music organizations—is thrilled to announce (in four-part harmony of course) its 2022-2023 concert season. After several years of singing together while apart, the 54th season of the world-renowned group represents the power of singing, and the bliss of coming back together again in person.

“This season is packed with surprise and delight for our audiences—and our performers. For the first time, VocalEssence will deliver an unforgettable Welcome Christmas concert, incorporating all our choirs, including the Singers of This Age and Vintage Voices, at the newly renovated Northrop—the only space large enough to accommodate us all together on stage,” says Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence artistic director and founder. “I’m also eagerly anticipating the return of the Mendelssohn project we started—but were unable to complete—before COVID. And, we’re deeply honored to host the Montserrat Boy Choir from Spain, one of the best in the world, for its Midwest premiere.”

“Not only will our audiences see and hear all our ensembles together on stage for the first time, but this experience marks the deep and lasting impact we have in many communities around the Twin Cities. The relationships VocalEssence has established over the last decade with Vintage Voices for older adults and the Singers of This Age, our culturally representative teen choir, is finally coming to fruition in one transformative VocalEssence superchoir,” says G. Phillip Shoultz, III, VocalEssence associate artistic director. “And of course, for those who can’t be physically together with us this season, we’re also offering curated digital content to keep connected to people who can’t join in person.”

The VocalEssence 2022-2023 Season will be full of magnificence, including:

The Mendelssohns 
Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022

Musical talent often runs in families, and one of history’s most talented set of siblings were the Mendelssohns—Felix and Fanny. Connected by their extraordinary gifts and love for music, they developed a close relationship that endured throughout their lives. Join VocalEssence singers, soprano Maria Jette, and an honor choir comprised of area high school singers as they present Felix and Fanny’s marvelous musical creations.

Montserrat Boy Choir 
Friday, Nov. 11, 2022

Perched atop the mountains near Barcelona, the choir of the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious boy choirs. For the first time in their 800-year history, the choir will make its Midwest premiere at a space worthy of their soaring voices, the majestic Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. Bringing with them a message of peace, the choristers will use music to transcend borders and speak directly to your heart.

Welcome Christmas 
Dec. 10-11, 2022

VocalEssence is pulling out all the stops to ring in the season of wonder. Hear beloved carols you know and love featuring the joyous sounds of the University of Minnesota Brass Ensemble, the spectacular Northrop pipe organ, and—for the first time—all the VocalEssence singing forces together in concert. Bring your outdoor voice and join in a singalong that will be sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.

WITNESS: Reawakening Love 
Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023

Minneapolis-based artist, author, educator, and speaker Joe Davis joins VocalEssence choirs along with The New Renaissance, a multi-media production company that cultivates immersive experiences, and chamber instrumentalists in a call for the revival of love, the rebirth of peace, and the emergence of a community where violence ceases. Experience a fusion of musical styles interwoven with stories of struggle, resilience, and celebration as we honor lives lost and renew our commitment to a freedom that is wide enough in which all can thrive.

Change Sings 
Saturday, Apr. 22, 2023

Inspired by the work of Presidential inaugural poet, Amanda Gorman, Change Sings invites each of us to see ourselves as changemakers. Through singing, movement, spoken word, and visual art, the VocalEssence Singers of This Age and guest artists will activate our imagination to inspire us into action. Change Sings features choral standards and co-created original works inspired by interactive workshops and conversations held in Twin Cities neighborhoods.

Singing the World Awake 
Friday, May 12, 2023

Awaken your spirit with the sounds and colors of performances by the VocalEssence Chorus, Ensemble Singers, and Singers of This Age. Experience sounds from near and far, exploring music of Denmark, Haiti, Mexico, the United States, and more, featuring composer and guest artist, Moira Smiley, whose style has been described as genre bending “mixing Bartok with street-singing.” This inspiring music will leave you feeling the joy of singing together.

VocalEssence season tickets will go on sale starting June 27, 2022. Single tickets go on sale July 21, 2022. For season tickets, details about the season, individual tickets and other information, please visit www.vocalessence.org.

VocalEssence will still have opportunities for people to access digital content that will be released throughout the season. All digital releases will be free and available to all on the VocalEssence website.

VocalEssence, the choral organization Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones says “sings magnificently,” provides opportunities that draw upon the power of singing together to nurture community, inspire creativity, affirm the value of all persons, and expand the impact of choral music. VocalEssence was founded in 1969 and through its performance series has debuted more than 300 commissions and world premieres. VocalEssence Learning & Engagement programs help people of all ages bridge, create, and learn across cultures by connecting them with renowned choral experts to provide exceptional role models, grow community self-esteem, self-expression, and engagement. For more information, visit www.vocalessence.org.

# # #