VocalEssence

Founded in 1969 under the name Plymouth Music Series, VocalEssence is recognized internationally for innovative exploration of music for voices and instruments. Each year the organization presents an engaging collection of concerts featuring the 120-voice VocalEssence Chorus and the 32-voice Ensemble Singers along with soloists and instrumentalists. There is no organization quite like VocalEssence in its range, variety and quality of performance.

The Plymouth Music Series was founded by Philip Brunelle, now one of Minnesota's most recognized musical entrepreneurs, as an arts outreach program of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. The Series immediately established the marks of its future success: world, United States, and Midwest premieres; famous guest artists; commissions of new works (over 100 to date); and a reputation for surprise. In the very first season Aaron Copland came to conduct his choral works for the Plymouth Music Series — the first time he had ever been asked to conduct his choral music.

By 1979, the Plymouth Music Series was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation governed by its own independent board of directors. In 1991, international recording successes convinced the board that the Series was ready for new artistic challenges. Over the next three years, the organization professionalized its performing ensemble, creating the Ensemble Singers, and hired its first full-time management staff. Internationally recognized as a leader in choral performance and organizational management, the Plymouth Music Series hosted the annual Chorus America Conference in Minneapolis in June 1999. At the invitation of the Series and other Minnesota choral organizations, the Sixth World Symposium on Choral Music was held in the Twin Cities in August 2002. Philip Brunelle served as the president of this international event.

In 2002 the Plymouth Music Series changed its name to VocalEssence, capturing the essence of its mission to explore music for the human voice, from spoken word to choral singing. In addition to championing lesser known works of the past, VocalEssence has an unwavering commitment to today's composers. It has received the ASCAP/ Chorus America Award for adventurous programming of contemporary music an unprecedented five times it has been eligible, and it was awarded the once-in-an-organizational lifetime Margaret Hillis Achievement Award for Choral Excellence.

Discography

The Songs We Sang

O, Dear, What Can the Matter Be? - Norman Luboff Down in the Valley - Norman Luboff Black is the Color - Norman Luboff Skip to My Lou - Norman Luboff Dixie - Daniel Emmet - Norman Luboff Camptown Races - Stephen Foster - Jack Halloran Laura Lee - Stephen Foster - Edwin Fissinger Oh Susanna - Stephen Foster - Edwin Fissinger Gentle Annie - Stephen Foster - Edwin Fissinger Goin' to Boston - Alice Parker / Robert Shaw Seeing Nellie Home - John Fletcher / Frances Kyle - Alice Parker / Robert Shaw The Lonesome Valley - Alice Parker / Robert Shaw Shenandoah - James Erb Hooray for the Cowboys - Marilyn Bergman Norman Luboff Red River Valley - Norman Luboff Tumblin' Tumbleweed - Bob Nolan - Norman Luboff Riders in the Sky - Stan Jones - Norman Luboff Cool Water - Bob Nolan - Norman Luboff

Reflecting our shared American heritage like a patchwork quilt, this is a charming collection of folksongs performed by conductor Philip Brunelle and the 32-voice VocalEssence Ensemble Singers with guitar, harmonica, accordion, bass and piano. Whether passed along by tradition or composed by a known songwriter, all of these songs have a melody that you can hum, sing and remember! Thanks to Norman Luboff, Edwin Fissinger, Jack Halloran, and the dynamic team of Alice Parker & Robert Shaw, there are wonderful arrangements that capture the atmosphere of each in choral settings.

Listen to Dixie in Real Audio

8742 CD $15.95

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A Bluegrass Mass

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass - Carol Barnett O Praise the Lord of Heaven - William Billings The Paper Reeds by the Brooks - Randall Thompson Beneath These Alien Stars - Libby Larson The Day is Done - Stephen Paulus I Cannot Dance, O Lord - Aaron Jay Kernis Sing, My Soul, His Wondrous Love - Ned Rorem Heritage - William Bolcom Zuni Sunrise Song - Brent Michael Davids Water Night - Eric Whitacre My Soul's Been Anchored - Moses Hogan

The world premiere recording of Carol Barnett and Marisha Chamberlain's bluegrass mass - a joyful affirmation of life expressed in sophisticated choral sound and jubilant bluegrass harmonies written especially for the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and bluegrass band Monroe Crossing. In addition ten American masterworks spanning the centuries, originally recorded for the national radio program Saint Paul Sunday, from Billings to Bolcom and beyond. The composers represented here display a passion for voices and what they can convey through song. Each is among the most respected in blending American song and text.

8743 CD $15.95

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Hymn to Potatoes

Song of the Sons of Bernie (Franz Schubert, Garrison Keillor) A Word about Schubert (Garrison Keillor) Ave Maria (Franz Schubert) Dutch Calvinism: The T.U.L.I.P. Doctrine (Garrison Keillor) Come Live with Me and Be My Love (John Rutter) Brahms in Love (Johannes Brahms, Garrison Keillor) Two Folk Songs (arr. Mansel Thomas, Anders Öhrwall) The “Shenandoah” Syndrome (arr. Paul Gerike, Garrison Keillor) Julia (Lennon/McCartney, arr. Paul Gerike, Richard Dworsky) The Runaway Choir (arr. Paul Gerike, Garrison Keillor) Norwegian Independence (Garrison Keillor) Holy Trinity Lutheran Seeks Music Director Beulah Land (John R. Sweney) The Choral News from Lake Wobegon (Garrison Keillor) Something (George Harrison, arr. Paul Gerike) Spring Fever (Franz Schubert, Garrison Keillor)

Who knew a choir could be this funny? Garrison Keillor, Philip Brunelle and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers dish up a generous helping of Potatoes a la Schubert, run away to Europe to indulge their “Shenandoah” habit, and enlighten us on the T.U.L.I.P. doctrine. This two-CD set of the best choral skits and bits from 10 years on A Prairie Home Companion includes the often-requested “Julia” (John Lennon) and a rare choral interpretation of “Karma Chamelon” (Boy George).

8318 2CDs $19.98

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Over The River & Through the Woods

Will The Circle Be Unknown Goodbye To My Uncles Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing We Gather Together Walking In The Spirit For The Beauty Of The Earth I Am A Pilgrim Pursuit Of Happiness Morning Has Broken He's Right On Time Zion's Walls Rivers Of Babylon Calling My Children Praise O Praise The Great Creator Couldn't Keep It To MySelf An Anthem For Thanksgiving How Happy Am I Thanksgiving Recollections Thanks Be To God Light From The Lighthouse A Thanksgiving To God, For His House How Great Thou Art Now Thank We All Our God Irish Heartbeat

On November 23, 2004, the Hopeful Gospel Quartet — Garrison Keillor, Mollie O’Brien and Robin & Linda Williams — traded musical moments with the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers in a concert at Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis. The evening seamlessly blended American folk traditions with choral masterpieces old and new, from “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” to “Now Thank We All Our God.” Garrison Keillor shared his Thanksgiving memories in a hilarious yet poignant monologue. Thanks to Minnesota Public Radio, the evening was captured for posterity in this charming two-CD set.

What A Might God

Witness (Jack Halloran) Hush! Somebody's Callin' My Name (arr. Brazeal W. Dennard) Death Is Gonna Lay His Cold Icy Hands on Me (arr. Andre Thomas) Walk Together, Children (arr. William Henry Smith) Were You There? (arr. Robert Scholz) Elijah Rock (arr. Moses Hogan) This Train (arr. Sanford Moore) Jesus, Lover of My Soul (arr. Richard Smallwood) My Lord, What A Mornin' (arr. Harry T. Burleigh) Go Down, Moses (arr. Robert A. Harris) In Dat Great Gittin' Up Mornin' (arr. Jester Hairston) Crucifixion (Adolphus Hailstork) Go Where I Send Thee (arr. Andre Thomas) Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (arr. Dale Adelmann) Go, Tell It on the Mountain (arr. Sanford Moore) What A Mighty God (arr. Michael Abels)

Philip Brunelle, founder and artistic director, leads 24 mixed-voice, MN-based VocalEssence in the "Witness" concert series—this one focused on African American spirituals and gospel music. Joining them are Moore by Four, an ensemble of Minneapolis-based jazz vocalists, and several accompanists on piano, drums and bass. 16 powerful, soulful tunes here: "Witness," "Hush, Somebody's Callin' My Name," "Death Is Gonna Lay His Cold Icy Hands On Me," the upbeat "Walk Together, Children," the powerful a cappella hymn "Were You There," the Moses Hogan-arranged "Elijah Rock," the Jester Hairston-arranged "In Dat Great Gittin' Up Mornin'," "Go Where I Send Thee," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and the Michael Abels-arranged title tune, "What a Mighty God." This is a wonderful collection of spirituals and Gospel tunes, authentic and sung with soul and spirit by one of the best Choruses (and jazz ensembles) on the planet. Great stuff!

Listen to In Dat Great Gittin' Up Mornin' in Real Audio

Mother To Son (Undine Smith Moore) We Shall Walk Through the Valley (Undine Smith Moore) Lamentations: Black Folk Song Suite (Coleridge - Taylor Perkinson) An Old Black Woman, Homeless and Indistinct (Joseph Jennings) Dance Like The Wind (William Banfield) Tambourines to Glory (Undine Smith Moore) My Soul Hath Found Refuge In Thee (Evelyn Simpson-Curenton) Nocturne (Adolphus Hailstork) Piece for String Orchestra (Billy Childs) Images, Shadows and Dreams: Five Vignettes (David Baker)

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.

7779 CD $15.98

Saint Louis Blues O Southland Song For Sorrow Moon Bridge Listen To The Lambs Ethiopia's Paen To Exaltation Poor Mourner's Got-a-Home aT Last Yamekraw: A Negro Rhapsody The Chariot Jubilee Charlestonia: Folk Rhapsody For Orchestra No. 1 Ave Marie

The recording's title reflects the blues/jazz-oriented flavor of some of the selections, notably the Hall Johnson choral arrangement of William Handy's Saint Louis Blues. The majority of the rest of the disc is devoted to choral pieces by Harry T. Burleigh- "O Southland"; Ethiopia's "Paean to Exaltation" and Nathaniel Dett, whose "Listen to the Lambs" is one of the classics of African-American music. Dett's The Chariot Jubilee, an extended choral work based on the spiritual Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, is another impressive attention-grabber, as is the closing a cappella Ave Maria, also by Dett. The program, which includes performances of works not available anywhere else, makes essential listening for all choral music fans. The repertoire is not only historically important but also is of high musical value. The choir sings with a rich, full-bodied, full-vibrato-ed American sound that's very well-balanced and warm-toned.

Wailing Woman Swanee River (Old Folks At Home) And The Lynched Him On A Tree We've Swung Him Higher Look Dere Oh, Sorrow He Was Her Baby They Took Away His Freedom They Left Him Hanging Miss Sally's PArty Introduction The Square Dance Tia's Dance Toby And Tip's Dance The Country Dance Miss Sally's Dance Jim Slick's Dance The Cake Walk Contest Reverie Elegy

VocalEssence WITNESS recordings showcase the music of trailblazing African American composers — the soul of American classical music. William Grant Still’s music for chorus, orchestra and organ brings the blues into the concert hall, ragtime to the ballet stage and the Old World into a new era.

Christmas & Lullabies: Christmas In The Southwest What Sweeter Music Sussex Carol Sing Hallelu Pat-a-Pan Go Tell On A Mountain Christ Was Born On Christmas Day O Little Town Of Bethlehem The Friendly Beasts Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Ding Dong Merrily On High Tis Winter Now It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Away In A Manger The Holly And The Ivy

The world premiere recording of Conrad Susa's beloved Carols & Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest, plus a delightful collection of carols from around the world, tied together by their diversity and charm.

Listen to "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" in Real Audio.

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