CONTACT:
Mary Ann Aufderheide
612-547-1454
maryann@vocalessence.org

 VOCALESSENCE ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Sigrid Johnson steps down at end of 2014-2015 Season

MINNEAPOLIS—February 23, 2015—VocalEssence, one of the world’s premier choral music organizations, announces today that its long-time associate conductor, Sigrid Johnson, will be retiring from the organization at the end of the 2014-2015 season. Johnson has been associate conductor of the Minneapolis-based choral group since 1991.

“Sigrid Johnson has long been the ‘ears’ of VocalEssence—matchless at helping develop the choral blend, intonation and balance that give our Chorus and Ensemble Singers its signature sound,” said Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder, VocalEssence. “Her expert input in the selection of repertoire and assistance throughout the audition process has been so wonderful through the years, and believe me—she will be sorely missed.”

Johnson’s retirement comes at a time when the organization is also seeking to fill the position of assistant conductor, most recently held by Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, now manager of the Choral Works Initiative at Minnesota Public Radio’s affiliated organization, American Public Media.

“Johnson and Wondemagegnehu’s positions will be combined into a new, enhanced role of assistant conductor, who will work closely with our artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle,” said Mary Ann Aufderheide, executive director, VocalEssence. “We’re very energized to find the right match to help us continue to deliver our signature innovative vocal music performances and events that stir people’s souls.” Applications for the new position must be received by March 9, 2015.

Sigrid Johnson is also a member of the voice and choral faculty at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., and the conductor of the Manitou Singers, the college’s 100-voice first-year women’s chorus, from which she also will be retiring this spring. She is known internationally for her work with musicians at all levels, and is active in the American Choral Director’s Association, the Music Educator’s National Conference, the International Federation for Choral Music and Chorus America.

As a leading Minnesota arts organization, and one of the world’s premier choral music organizations, Minneapolis-based VocalEssence uses the power of choral music to enhance our community by producing innovative vocal music events that stir people’s souls.

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