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The Voyage Librettist Reveals Inspiration for Work

The Voyage librettist Charles Bennett talks about what inspired him to compose the text for this new work. Hear the U.S. Premiere of The Voyage at the VocalEssence concert on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 4 pm at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN.

Guest Artist Melanie DeMore Inspires Hundreds

VocalEssence WITNESS guest artist Melanie DeMore visited Minnesota the week of September 19-24, 2016 where she breathed life into the Underground Railroad theme for hundreds of students, teachers, and community members. Below is a list of all of Melanie’s activities that week: School Visits at Parkway Middle, North High School, Parkway Middle, Johnson Senior High School), where…  Read More

Making the World Beautiful, One Stitch at a Time

It was a surprise like no other. In cahoots with Philip Brunelle, Kay’s husband Mike commissioned five women composers to write a song based on one of Kay’s quilts. She was speechless at the reveal. “I can’t tell you how excited I am about this project,” Kay described later with tears in her eyes. “This…  Read More

VocalEssence Welcomes Four New Board Members

  CONTACT: Katrina Wallmeyer 612-547-1472 katrina@vocalessence.org VOCALESSENCE WELCOMES FOUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS MINNEAPOLIS — August 25, 2016 — Minneapolis-based arts organization VocalEssence announced today that four new members have joined its Board of Directors—Steve Aggergaard, Julie Bader, Julie Craven, and Nancy Nelson.  All four new board members have a wealth of experience and have been…  Read More

VocalEssence ReMix Adds New Voices to Choral Music

VocalEssence announces the winners of its second annual ReMix mentorship, designed to foster the next generation of choral music composers. VocalEssence ReMix matches four emerging Minnesota composers with mentors for a six-month one-on-one partnership to help each composer complete two new, original choral pieces. These works will premiere at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)…  Read More

Mission, Vision, and Values

VocalEssence Mission VocalEssence draws upon the power of singing together to nurture community, inspire creativity, affirm the value of all persons, and expand the influence of choral music. VocalEssence Vision VocalEssence seeks to be forward-thinking—a singing community where all find belonging. Aspiring to inspire, we discover, celebrate, and build lasting experiences that transform hearts and…  Read More

VocalEssence Explores the Seasons of Life with “The Voyage”

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE EXPLORES THE SEASONS OF LIFE WITH “THE VOYAGE” Acclaimed choral ensemble kicks off 48th season exploring challenges and triumphs in a musical journey through life, marked by the words of Shakespeare—October 16   MINNEAPOLIS—AUGUST 26, 2016—Internationally recognized choral music organization VocalEssence, who earlier this summer performed with Italian singing…  Read More

VocalEssence Brings Choral Music Luminaries to Minneapolis for Historic Community Sing

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com   VOCALESSENCE BRINGS CHORAL MUSIC LUMINARIES TO MINNEAPOLIS FOR HISTORIC COMMUNITY SING Join in song with nonagenarian choral legend Alice Parker and long-time Sweet Honey In The Rock® star Ysaÿe Barnwell at Community Sing with VocalEssence—October 15   MINNEAPOLIS—JULY 12, 2016—For the first Community Sing of its 48th season, Minneapolis’s premier choral ensemble…  Read More

VocalEssence Brought Down the House with Andrea Bocelli

Sixty five members of the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers wowed more than 16,000 fans at Target Center with Andrea Bocelli on Tuesday, June 9. Selections ranged from opera standards to popular hits from the musical The Sound of Music. One VocalEssence Chorus member commented, “that was the most unforgettable experience and opportunity! Peruse photos of…  Read More

The Voyage Connects Young and Old Through Singing

This fall VocalEssence hosts the U.S. premiere of The Voyage, a new piece by former King’s Singer and British composer Bob Chilcott, that connects singers across generations through music. Joining the VocalEssence Chorus will be singers from Minnesota Chorale’s Minneapolis Youth Chorus and Voices of Experience. Watch the video above produced for the premiere performance…  Read More

Ethan Kellum Johnson

Director of Artistic Operations phone 612-547-1480 ethan@vocalessence.org Ethan Kellum Johnson joined the team at VocalEssence in the summer of 2019. As the Director of Artistic Operations, Ethan oversees the process of planning and executing the behind-the-scenes details of VocalEssence artistic programs, including concert production and Learning & Engagement programmatic events. Working with VocalEssence artists and…  Read More

VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! to Include iPads in Performance

Students are buzzing with excitement about the upcoming VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Community Concerts on Monday, May 23 at 6 and 8 pm at the Ordway Concert Hall. Northport Elementary School students have been practicing moving while singing. Composer Alephsus Valdés has written a song for them using iPads. “Máscaras” or “Masks” includes students covering and uncovering…  Read More

VocalEssence Choralia is a Smashing Success!

What a wonderful world! The VocalEssence Choralia fundraiser on Sunday, May 1, 2016 broke so many records that VocalEssence is overcome with gratitude. We sold out the Radisson Blu Mall of America with 500 attendees. Guest artist Melanie DeMore encouraged all of us to “hold up” one another through song, while singers from the Sabathani Vintage Voices…  Read More

VocalEssence Ends the Year with Lullabies and Latin Rhythms in ¡Cantaré!

CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE ENDS THE YEAR WITH LULLABIES AND LATIN RHYTHMS IN ¡CANTARÉ! Local choral ensemble premieres new music written by Mexican composers and local students in ¡Cantaré! Community Concerts—May 23  MINNEAPOLIS—April 26, 2016—Experience the music of our southern neighbors at a multi-generational fiesta as nationally-acclaimed choral ensemble VocalEssence sings alongside school choirs in…  Read More