The VocalEssence WITNESS School Program is an exciting opportunity for Minnesota students and teachers to learn more about the contributions African Americans have made, and are making, to the fine arts.
Register for the 2021-2022 VocalEssence WITNESS School Program.
Join us for the 2021-22 VocalEssence WITNESS School Program, where we rejoice in returning to many in-person activities that we have so dearly missed this past year including Teacher Orientation, VocalEssence Teaching Artist Workshops, and the WITNESS Young People’s Concert! This year the program centers on affirming Black joy and resilience and will feature special guest artists, The Aeolians of Oakwood University.
The Aeolians of Oakwood University hail from a historically black institution in Huntsville, Alabama. The choir was organized in 1946 by the late Dr. Eva B. Dykes. Since their inception, The Aeolians have traveled widely, touching the hearts of both young and old with their soul-stirring performances. Currently under the direction of Jason Max Ferdinand, a former Aeolian, they perform music ranging from the Baroque era to the 21st century and were named the “2017 Choir of the World” at the World Choir Games. They are authoritative interpreters of spirituals and work songs, which express the yearnings of their ancestors to be free.
Hear The Aeolians in action at their 2019 American Choral Directors Association performance.
Each partner school is able to take advantage of three program components that provide an enriching integrative experience for both students and teachers:
