Philip Brunelle:
The summer months have been fascinating for Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence Founder and Artistic Director–not only the time devoted to planning and studying repertoire for the upcoming 54th season, but also time in Europe and concerts at home.
The end of June found Philip and his wife Carolyn in Stockholm visiting friends and meeting with Benny Andersson’s assistant making plans for the future. Two weeks in France followed–Paris, Dijon, and Burgundy also spent with friends, then returning to plunge into planning for the VocalEssence Gala on September 24–not to be missed!
Early August included the ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) Minnesota Summer Dialogue and the opportunity to spend time with dear colleagues, Melanie DeMore and Rosephanye Powell. A concert at Crooners of early 20th century English song accompanying Maria Jette was a delight…and a sellout…so we will repeat it 3 weeks later! A dear and valued friend of VocalEssence, Jack Hoeschler, passed away and I was asked to prepare the music, featuring a number of composers that Jack & Linda had commissioned over many years.
And August will end as it should–taking grandchildren to the Minnesota State Fair!
