VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Composer Jean Angelus Pichardo talks about the history behind the ocarina, a Mexican musical instrument, and also teaches how to play it. An ocarina will be featured in the premiere of one of Jean’s pieces at the VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Community Concert on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at the Ordway Center for the Performing… Read More →
Saturday, May 2, 2015 was a beautiful day to be on the Mississippi River aboard the Minnesota Centennial Showboat, enjoying cocktails and appetizers on the Victorian Deck, followed by river songs and tales with Don Shelby as Mark Twain, fiddler Sara Pajunen, and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers conducted by Tesfa Wondemagegnehu. Visit our Facebook album… Read More →
On Tuesday, April 21, 2015, VocalEssence had the honor of participating in a true love story—a marriage proposal delivered via the VocalEssence Chorus with a piece composed by Mexican composer Novelli Jurado, a composer-in-residence for our ¡Cantaré! in Rochester school program. Novelli met Michelle Eng, his now-fiancé, while working with the 2012-2013 season of VocalEssence… Read More →
As if you didn’t already have enough great reasons to join us for the Gather at the River with Mark Twain fundraiser for VocalEssence music education programs on May 2, here are five more: The fabulous raffle prizes described below offer the winners another evening of top-tier entertainment—and four seasons of wine! So make plans… Read More →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MasuVCxo0CQ Don Shelby as Mark Twain invites you to Gather at the River with Mark Twain, a fundraiser for VocalEssence choral music education programs. Hear river songs and tales on the historic Minnesota Centennial Showboat with the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and the fine fiddling of Sara Pajunen. Hop aboard on May 2, 2015 for a… Read More →
Article by: MICHAEL ANTHONY, Special to the Star Tribune Updated: April 12, 2015 – 8:33 PM Shown are, from left, Philip Brunelle of VocalEssence and composer Peter Schickele. Photo by Mike Krivit. There’s an old saying favored by comedians: “Death is easy, comedy is hard.” This wise thought probably dates back at least to the… Read More →
by Gianna Kordatzky March 30, 2015 Classical Music Jean Angelus Pichardo grew up just outside of Mexico City and picked up a guitar when he was eight. You will find a guitar in most Mexican homes, and Jean’s was no different. As a confident 8-year-old, he asked his music teacher at school if he could… Read More →
CONTACT: Katrina Wallmeyer 612-547-1472 katrina@vocalessence.org VOCALESSENCE WELCOMES SIX NEW BOARD MEMBERS MINNEAPOLIS — March 18, 2015 — Minneapolis-based choral ensemble VocalEssence announced today that six new members have joined its Board of Directors – Ann Farrell, Joe Kalkman, Alfred Moore, David Myers, Timothy C. Takach, and Dorene Tebbe Wernke. All six new board members have… Read More →
Older adults are pursuing active lives, and VocalEssence is gladly adding to their options with the launch of VocalEssence Vintage Voices—an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults by fostering the creation of choirs in assisted living facilities and senior centers. With funding from the Minnesota State Arts… Read More →
CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE PUTS ON A BIG SHOW (OR NINE) WITH DIVERSE 47TH SEASON Celebrated Twin Cities choral organization announces new season promoting diverse communities—through the voice MINNEAPOLIS—March 14, 2015—Acclaimed Minneapolis-based choral ensemble VocalEssence—recognized internationally for its innovative explorations of music—announces an intriguing 47th season of concerts. The 2015-2016 lineup celebrates many… Read More →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otO1BYz_i6o When you attend one of the two VocalEssence Radio Hour concerts this weekend, you are sure to be stirred by something you haven’t experienced before—and treated to some old favorites, too. The first half of the program reaches back to the early days of radio in a tribute to Fred Waring and the music… Read More →
CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com GATHER AT THE RIVER WITH MARK TWAIN TO SUPPORT CHORAL ART Twin Cities-based VocalEssence and Don Shelby host fundraiser cruise for music education—May 2 MINNEAPOLIS—February 16, 2015—Join the 32-voice VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and television legend Don Shelby as they travel back in time on the historic Minnesota Centennial Showboat to… Read More →
CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE CELEBRATES SPECIAL WITNESS ANNIVERSARY AND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. Local choral ensemble and high school students team up with Sounds of Blackness in WITNESS: Let Freedom Ring—Feb. 8 MINNEAPOLIS — January 23, 2015 — Minneapolis-based choral ensemble VocalEssence will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — plus, the… Read More →
CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE CELEBRATES BACH’S TWENTY-FIRST (OUT OF TWENTY) CHILD—P.D.Q. BACH! Minneapolis-based choral ensemble hosts birthday bash for composer and parodist Peter Schickele—Apr. 10 MINNEAPOLIS — February 12, 2015 — The 100-voice VocalEssence Chorus, 32-voice Ensemble Singers and the University of Minnesota’s Wind Ensemble will celebrate the 80th birthday of legendary composer,… Read More →
CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com VOCALESSENCE DIALS BACK THE CLOCK FOR THE RADIO HOUR Twin Cities ensemble celebrates the golden age of radio at A Prairie Home Companion’s Fitzgerald Theater—Mar. 14-15 MINNEAPOLIS — February 12, 2015 — The 32-voice Ensemble Singers and acclaimed Minneapolis actress Christina Baldwin will take center stage at the famed Minnesota… Read More →
