VocalEssence

Check out Philip Brunelle continuing to bring music to life at his alma mater, Minnehaha Academy!

Last week we hosted a season preview event for VocalEssence donors and sponsors at the beautiful Schmitt Music showroom in Bloomington. In addition to the atmosphere, attendees were treated to season and mission highlights from our leadership team and a performance from a quartet of Ensemble Singers.

The buzz about our 26-27 season has begun! Stay tuned.

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It may be the off season for some, but our hardworking artistic leadership are always out in the community, amplifying the power of singing together. Philip and Phillip have both been featured on podcasts recently, and we encourage you to give their episodes a listen to gain some insight into how they shape their respective crafts.

The Object, featuring Philip Brunelle: This electrifying, sold-out live show of The Object podcast was recorded May 21, 2026, at the Minneapolis Institute of Art with host Tim Gihring and very special musical guests from the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers with Philip Brunelle conducting and playing the virginal (we had the same question; you'll have to listen to find out). It's a celebration of the 555th birthday of Albrecht Dürer, with quizzes, storytelling, and curator conversation all about the greatest printmaker of the Renaissance—maybe of all time.

Episode: https://tgihring.podbean.com/e/the-object-live-talk-durer-to-me/

The Arts & Everything, featuring G. Phillip Shoultz, III: As the United States marks 250 years, The Arts & Everything turns to the sounds, traditions and stories that have shaped the country’s musical identity. In this episode, Chancellor Brian Cole asks artists from across genres to reflect on what American music means to them.

Episode: https://www.uncsa.edu/uncsa-media/arts-and-everything/the-sound-of-america.aspx

We're hiring! For position details and to apply, visit https://www.vocalessence.org/support-us/work-at-vocalessence/

From VocalEssence Vintage Voices Conductor Rob Graham:

Yesterday, we had a fantastic first (of two) Summer Sing-Alongs at Keystone's Merriam Park Community Center, which included a wide variety of music and poetry, curated by Rob Graham, that centered around themes of summertime, and included poems by Claude McKay, Mary Oliver and Billy Collins, and hits including "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess, "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles, "Under the Boardwalk" by the Drifters, and many more!

40 singers were in attendance, including five of our Sabathani Vintage Voices members, about 30 of our Keystone Community Singers members, and we welcomed 8 new folks from the community as well, including the daughters of two of our singers!

We had a fantastic time. In this photo, you'll see everyone intently listening and following along in their sing-along booklets as alto Shelley Jensen recited a Joseph Cotter's Poem, "Rain Music".



📷: Eden Dattalo

Keystone Community Services