In 1991 founder and artistic director Philip Brunelle and 24 mixed-voice VocalEssence presented "Witness," the first of an enduring series of concerts focused on the music of African American Composers. It was taken from "Witness: Six Original Compositions in a Spiritual Style," commissioned for Jubilant Sykes and VocalEssence. Visiting several area high schools while soloist Sykes was in Minneapolis for the premiere led VocalEssence to create an award-winning educational outreach program, bringing the talents of African Americans to thousands of Minnesota school students. A Woodwind Quintet and Jazz Ensemble perform with VocalEssence on the 18 pieces of "Dance Like The Wind," Undine Smith Moore's lovely "Mother to Son," "We Shall Walk Through the Valley" and "Tambourines to Glory," the title tune--William Banfield's beautiful instrumental, "My Soul Hath Found Refuge In Thee" (Psalm 91), by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton," Adolphus Hailstork's soaring "Nocturne," two selections from Billy Childs' "Piece for Stringed Orchestra" and David Baker's eclectic "Images, Shadows and Dreams: Five Vignettes." "Dance Like the Wind" is thought-provoking and moving music by eight modern, cutting-edge African American composers.