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A measured breath, but no rest for Golden Valley music mogul

byAlaina Rooke | December 5, 2018: https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_post/community/a-measured-breath-but-no-rest-for-golden-valley-music/article_74816f46-f75e-11e8-9af1-b771ceaf37f4.html Top Minnesota choir director and longtime resident Philip Brunelle looks to 50th year   “One of my mottos is you don’t know if you don’t ask,” explained Philip Brunelle of attracting top guest talent to VocalEssence, a premier choral organization he founded in 1969. “You have a 50-percent chance of…  Read More →

Holidays have plenty of sweets — sweet vocal harmonies, that is

By Rob Hubbard November 24, 2018—9:00AM | UPDATED: November 28, 2018—12:28PM: https://www.twincities.com/2018/11/24/holidays-have-plenty-of-sweets-sweet-vocal-harmonies-that-is/ If Yuletide carols being sung by a choir sounds like your ideal holiday elixir, then this is the December for you in the Twin Cities. Vocal harmonies abound, as all of our best groups have their own concerts … and a couple of them hook up…  Read More →

“Star of Wonder Reimagined” Concerts Welcome Young Listeners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com “STAR OF WONDER REIMAGINED” CONCERTS WELCOME YOUNG LISTENERS VocalEssence holiday shows for families move to Mia—Dec. 8 MINNEAPOLIS—October 23, 2018— “Concert manners” don’t apply when you’re filled with the holiday spirit, right? That’s why VocalEssence created Star of Wonder, a seasonal concert especially for families with toddlers…  Read More →

50th Anniversary Concert a BIG Success

October 17, 2018

The 50th Anniversary Concert and Dinner on October 7, 2018 was an evening filled with special moments. Governor Dayton proclaimed it VocalEssence Together We Sing Day. Senator Tina Smith began the festivities with a beautiful tribute to the organization. Acclaimed composer Alice Parker wrote an arrangement to surprise Artistic Director Philip Brunelle. Read the lyrics…  Read More →

Strategic Plan 2018-2022

In over 5o years, we celebrate our recognition not only locally and regionally, but nationally and internationally for innovation, leadership, and advancement of this art form. Within the strength of our position as a leader in this field, our challenge is to remain relevant and responsive within the rapidly changing demographic landscape. This Strategic Plan…  Read More →

A Toast to 50 Years from Marilyn Carlson Nelson

October 7, 2018

And on the eighth day, God created VocalEssence, and it was good. So now, dear Philip, Carolyn, VocalEssence, it falls to me to end this magnificent celebration with a toast. A toast to 50 years of music that have unspooled before us at a dizzying speed tonight, beginning and ending with Aaron Copeland and The…  Read More →

Where in the World are the Conductors – September 2018

September 26, 2018

Artistic Director Philip Brunelle started the month of September by conducting the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers in Mexico City for an amazing week of concerts and workshops. They performed solo concerts and also joined 30 professional Mexican singers in concerts of Brahms and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Orquesta Symphonica de Minería. September is the month…  Read More →

Rhiannon Fiskradatz

Learning and Engagement Manager phone 612-547-1451 fax 612-547-1484 rhiannon@vocalessence.org Rhiannon Fiskradatz is a lifelong theatre artist whose work across a broad range of mediums displays a penchant for cross pollination. After earning a theatre arts degree from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in 2002, Rhiannon built her multifaceted career performing physical theatre &…  Read More →

Sing, Connect, and Give Back at the Together We Sing Festival

August 22, 2018

In preparation for the 3rd Annual Together We Sing Festival, VocalEssence Associate Conductor Phillip Shoultz has devoted time this summer to developing a relationship with Ujamaa Place. After meeting with Executive Director, Otis Zanders, and touring the facilities, Phillip recently led his first talk in a series of presentations that will explore, “Sharing Your Truth:…  Read More →

Where in the World are the Conductors – August 2018

August 22, 2018

Artistic Director Philip Brunelle has had a whirlwind summer (nothing unusual!) beginning in early June with a trip to New York City meeting with Nico Muhly, composer of the new cantata being written for our Welcome Christmas concerts. The visit also included meetings with several composers and interviews about the upcoming 50th anniversary season. Then…  Read More →

2018 Welcome Christmas Carol Contest Composers Announced

August 22, 2018

VocalEssence is pleased to announce the following winners of the 21st annual VocalEssence Welcome Christmas Carol Contest. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all who applied. Sponsored by the American Composers Forum and VocalEssence, the contest is open to composers of all ages, and this season composers were asked to write a carol…  Read More →

How Philip Brunelle Became the Twin Cities’ Song Leader

Philip Brunelle has been the song leader of the Twin Cities for 50 years. But how he got there? It wasn’t all a joyful song. by Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl June 18, 2018: http://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/how-philip-brunelle-became-the-twin-cities-song-leader/ Philip Brunelle is 75 years old and an international icon in choir circles, and if you follow him around on a typical Tuesday night…  Read More →

Anita Ruth

Musician/Pianist Anita Ruth has been active in the Twin Cities theatrical and musical circles for over 35 years. After serving as musical director for over 80 shows at the Chanhassen Dinner Theaters, she has led a varied and exciting life as a freelance musician and educator. She spent eight years with the Children’s Theater Company in…  Read More →

T. Mychael Rambo

Musician/Singer/Actor Three-time Regional Emmy Award-winning actor, vocalist, arts educator, author, and community organizer, T. Mychael Rambo, has made an indelible mark in the Twin Cities and beyond. He has performed principal roles at prestigious theaters such as Penumbra, the Guthrie, Ordway, Illusion Theatre, Mixed Blood, Park Square Theatre, 10,000 Things, Theater Latte Da, Children’s Theatre,…  Read More →

Ginger Commodore

Singer/Songwriter/Actress Ginger Commodore is a singer, songwriter and actress who enjoys an illustrious career in the Twin Cities area. She is an original member of the Grammy Award-winning singing ensemble The Sounds of Blackness and several local Gospel groups. She is also an original member of the vocal jazz ensemble Moore by Four. She’s shared…  Read More →