More than 50 students from 13 Twin Cities High Schools have attended the first three rehearsals of the inaugural year of the VocalEssence Youth Choir led by VocalEssence Associate Conductor and Education Program Manager G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Each rehearsal includes a mix of singing, social bonding activities, and work with the guest artists that are partnering with VocalEssence through this venture. Below is a video of just the second rehearsal of the group.

In addition to traditional singing, rehearsal includes guest artists such as Chadwick ‘Niles’ Phillips mixing musical styles to get students to see what is possible. Watch a video of this below.

Funding Still Needed for Youth Choir

We are still looking for funds through GoFundMe to meet our $10,000 match from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Please consider giving to this important cause: https://www.gofundme.com/vocalessence

Student journal entries after first rehearsal

“I feel very happy and welcomed… it was really exciting to meet new people that are like me and their own ways. I’m happy I followed through with joining and participating in the choir and I can’t wait to see everyone’s lovely faces next Monday.”

“I had a great time. I liked how active it was, and I’ve never been in a choir that can accomplish so much in the first practice.”

“I enjoyed myself so much! It was a breath of fresh air for me. Because in my choir at school I am not able to sing to my fullest abilities. I really enjoyed the variety of music that was incorporated. I’m very exited to see what this is going to bring for me when it comes to my artistic development.”

“I was so excited when I got to see all the different things were going to be doing this year. I really liked that we actually got to sing on the first night which was really cool to hear all of our voices combine.”