As we near the end of our 52nd season, we are hearing many beautiful stories of hope and transformation through music.

Meet Isaiah Bates

This spring, Isaiah will graduate from high school. He’s continuing to create and plans to take a gap year to save to go to college in Los Angeles the following year. “He’s a huge, loving presence in the choir,” said Rhiannon Fiskradatz, VESOTA Operations Manager. “He’s going to be missed!”

Isaiah’s transformation was only possible because of people like you.

Only 70% of students who identify as African American graduate high school in Minnesota, versus 89% of students who identify as White. That number increases significantly if students have just ONE teacher who looks like them and believes in them during their schooling.

By investing in programs like VESOTA, you are making dreams come true for so many.

Last spring when things were closing down, VESOTA increased gatherings to twice a week online to give students like Isaiah a creative space to process their feelings around the pandemic and the racial injustice that was happening in our community. Together, they used singing to heal each other and inspire hope in the future.

Because of the pandemic, VocalEssence is in a different place financially than we’ve ever been at this time of year.

We’ve reduced our budget as much as possible, and we are responding to the needs of singers by shifting our rehearsals and performances online and safely masked in-person—all of which takes new skills, patience, and even MORE resources.

• This year, the difference between what grants and ticket sales cover and what it truly takes to bring inspiring experiences is $342,680.
• The good news: There is just $70,896 left to fully fund the VocalEssence mission by June 30, 2021.

We know this may be a challenging time for you and your family. If you are able to renew or increase your contribution today, you’ll be a part of bringing the transformational power of music to more people. Your annual gift makes possible to provide virtual and safe in-person rehearsals for our singers for this year’s On Demand season.

We encourage you to consider joining the compassionate group of sustaining donors.

Being a sustaining donor allows you to spread your gift out throughout the year, and it allows VocalEssence to have stable funding to create magical experiences for people of all ages.

Your gift will bring hope and inspiration to others like Isaiah, especially during these uncertain times. Wishing you and your family good health and happiness.

With gratitude,

Mary Ann Aufderheide, Executive Director
Philip Brunelle, Artistic Director & Founder

Your contribution is fully tax-deductible in accordance with state and federal regulations.