2016-2017
A MUSICAL JOURNEY OF THE HEART
SEASON CONCERTS:
INTRODUCING OUR 48TH SEASON Join us on a musical journey of the heart. We begin with The Voyage, experiencing the power singing has to bring us from loneliness to love. Welcome Christmas makes us nostalgic for Christmases past. Melanie DeMore returns for VocalEssence WITNESS: Underground Railroad, inspiring us to find sanctuary within ourselves. World-renowned Stephen Hough’s Miracle Mass will stir our souls in celebration of the incredible gift of life. As a complement to the concert experience, come sing with our amazing guest artists! Queens of the choral world Alice Parker, Ysaÿe Barnwell and Melanie DeMore will lead us in discovering the power of our own voices. Together we sing, and you are a key part of our chorus.
Philip Brunelle, Artistic Director and Founder G. Phillip Shoultz, III, Associate Conductor
THE VOYAGE Sunday, October 16, 2016 WELCOME CHRISTMAS December 3-11, 2016 VOCALESSENCE WITNESS: UNDERGROUND RAILROAD Sunday, February 19, 2017 MIRACLE MASS Saturday, April 22, 2017
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY EVENTS: COMMUNITY SING WITH ALICE PARKER & YSAŸE BARNWELL Saturday, October 15, 2016 STAR OF WONDER Saturday, December 10, 2016 COMMUNITY SING WITH MELANIE DEMORE Friday, January 13, 2017 VOCALESSENCE ¡CANTARÉ! COMMUNITY CONCERTS 2017 Tuesday, May 2, 2017
ENGAGE
INSPIRE
ENTERTAIN
Singing has always been a community activity. For generations, people have come together in song to celebrate, mourn, praise, and inspire each other. For nearly 50 years, VocalEssence has kept that essential human tradition alive. With exhilarating concerts, ground-breaking education programs, and tireless advocacy, VocalEssence proves that singing together is still a relevant—and often revolutionary—way to create community.
DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT: “Thank you, you sing magnificently.” —Mick Jagger
“One of my favorite musical experiences of last year: collaborating with VocalEssence.” —Dessa
“To sing like this, in the company of other souls, and to make those consonants slip out so easily and in unison, and to make those chords so rich that they bring tears to your eyes. This is transcendence. This is the power that choral singing has that other music can only dream of.” —Garrison Keillor
THE VOYAGE Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 4 pm
Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
As a chill hits the air, wrap yourself in the warm sounds of choral music and recall times when the kindness of others created a path out of loneliness. Sit back and enjoy two premieres that chart a course from solitude to security using singing as a compass. Bob Chilcott’s The Voyage unites voices from three generations to amplify ageless truths, while Quilt Songs stitches together folk art, poetry, and the music of five prominent women composers to celebrate the seasons of life.
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers Intergenerational Community Choir Instrumental Chamber Ensemble Philip Brunelle, conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor Concert Conversation with Kay McCarthy and Nick Nash at 3 pm SINGLE TICKETS: $20, $30, $40 Š Mike Krivit Photography
Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley
WELCOME CHRISTMAS
Friday, December 9, 2016 at 7:30 pm Roseville Lutheran Church, Roseville
Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 4 pm
Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis
Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 4 pm
Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis Journey to Bethlehem this Christmas to experience the wonder and awe of the nativity with Conrad Susa’s Carols & Lullabies. This playfully charming setting of the Christmas story weaves in music of Mexico and the American Southwest accompanied by harp, marimba and guitar. Tap your toes to contest-winning carols for choir and vibraphone, and round off your experience with a sing-along of your favorites to get you in the Christmas spirit.
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers Philip Brunelle, conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor SINGLE TICKETS: $20, $30, $40
Š Bruce Silcox
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 4 pm
Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis
Come prepared to sing, clap and stomp along the path to freedom with Melanie DeMore. Following her sold-out concert in 2014, Melanie returns to raise up immigrant voices past and present through songs of liberation and freedom, illuminating Minnesota’s historic role as a sanctuary for the oppressed.
VocalEssence Chorus Twin Cities Middle & High School Choirs Melanie DeMore, guest artist G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor Concert Conversation with vocal activist Melanie DeMore at 3 pm SINGLE TICKETS: $10, $20, $30, $40
Melanie DeMore Š Bruce Silcox
MIRACLE MASS Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 8 pm The Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis
Join world-renowned pianist and composer Stephen Hough on a spiritual journey from unquestioning faith to doubt to profound joy. The Basilica’s majestic setting makes the moving and deeply personal work of this MacArthur Genius even more poignant. The experience will inspire you to reflect on your own journey and, ultimately, remind us all of the miraculous gift of life.
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers Stephen Hough, pianist Philip Brunelle, conductor Concert Conversation with pianist and composer Stephen Hough at 7 pm SINGLE TICKETS: $20, $30, $40
Stephen Hough Š Hiroyuki Ito
FAMILY
COMMUNITY
STAR OF WONDER
Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 9:30 am and 11 am
COMMUNITY CONCERTS 2017
Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 6 pm and 8 pm
Members of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers Philip Brunelle, conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor
Twin Cities Elementary, High School & College Choirs VocalEssence Chorus G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor
Clap, wiggle and sing along to your favorite carols at our 45-minute family holiday concert. Sit up close and experience the wonder of choral singing (maybe even for the first time). Pillows, baby bottles and teddy bears welcome!
Hear our community come together as more than 500 students join VocalEssence to celebrate Mexico through song. The culmination of a year-long composer-in-residence program, these bilingual concerts include premieres and an audience sing-along that will leave you with a renewed hope that music can change the world.
TICKETS: $12 Adults, $8 Child (Age 4-17), FREE (Age 3 & Under)
Ordway Concert Hall, Saint Paul
TICKETS: FREE (available March 1, 2017)
SING ALONG
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COME SING WITH US!
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No one knows better the power of singing together than the queens of choral music, Alice Parker, Ysa每e Barnwell and Melanie DeMore. Join us at one of our two immersive community sings to feed your soul and rediscover the power of your own voice. No experience necessary.
ALICE PARKER & YSA鸥E BARNWELL Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 2 pm
Auditorium, Creative Arts Secondary School, Saint Paul TICKETS: $25 (includes music)
MELANIE DEMORE Friday, January 13, 2017 at 7 pm
Red Cap Room, Union Depot, Saint Paul
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TICKETS: FREE Season Subscribers have access to a pre-sale for these community sings.
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HOW TO ORDER SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE! SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE
PRICE/TICKET
SAVE
Full 4-Concert Subscription 3-Concert Subscription 2-Concert Subscription
$40 $28 $40 $30 $40 $32
30% 25% 20%
SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS Best Deal of the Season with Reserved, Preferred Seating: Subscribers save up to 30% on tickets and receive the best reserved seats in the house, selected for the best sight lines and acoustics. Discounted Tickets for Guests: Subscribers can also add tickets to their subscription throughout the season and pay no additional processing fees. Free Ticket Exchanges & Lost Ticket Replacement: Only subscribers receive free ticket exchanges and lost ticket replacement for any performance during the season! Community Sing Priority Registration: Subscribers will have access to a pre-sale for the community sings before they go on sale to the general public. Pay It Forward Program: Worried that you cannot make a performance? Subscribers are automatically a part of the Pay It Forward Program where a turned back ticket goes to a student to attend a VocalEssence concert. VocalEssence partners with Project SUCCESS to offer free tickets to more than 100 students annually. Easy Pay: Pay only 50% today to secure your subscription (credit card only). The balance will be automatically charged to the same credit card on July 1, 2016.
All sales are final; no refunds. Seating is subject to availability and may vary by performance. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. All concert attendees—including children—must have a ticket. Please note that our concerts are not open to infants and children under 6, except for the Star of Wonder family holiday concert and the ¡Cantaré! Community Concerts. We have accessible seating at all of our concert venues, although there may not always be elevator access to upper levels. Please make your access-related needs known when you order tickets. Subscribers are charged a one-time $8 processing fee. Prices listed include a non-discountable $3.50 per ticket fee. Subscribers may exchange subscription tickets for another VocalEssence 48th Season Concert up to one hour prior to the concert. Day-of-concert exchanges will pay a $5.00 exchange fee. Such exchanges will be filled with the best tickets available according to the subscriber’s preferences. Tickets may be turned back for resale up to one hour prior to a performance. Sorry, no refunds can be given; however, you will be sent a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution upon request. All programs and artists are subject to change without notice.
HOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER The Minnesota Orchestra Box Office is pleased to provide ticketing services for the 48th VocalEssence season.
ONLINE vocalessence.org BY PHONE Subscriber Services: 612-371-5642 Single Ticket Services: 612-371-5656 BOX OFFICE HOURS: In Person: Monday - Friday, 10 am - 2 pm Phone: Monday - Friday, 10 am - 5 pm
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE JULY 25, 2016 VocalEssence is at a concert venue near you this season! Single Tickets for season concerts go on sale on Monday, July 25, 2016. Groups of 10 or more receive a 15% discount, and students receive a 50% discount. Please make your discount-related needs known when you order tickets. Ticket information for VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Community Concerts as well as the Community Sings will be available online at vocalessence.org.
VocalEssence strives to use concert venues that are ADA accessible. Please make your access-related needs known when you order tickets.
FRONT COVER PHOTO CREDITS: Quilt © Mike Krivit Photography Melanie DeMore © Bruce Silcox Stephen Hough © Sim Canetty-Clarke
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
1900 Nicollet Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403
2016-2017 SEASON JOIN US ON A MUSICAL JOURNEY VOCALESSENCE.ORG
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, and a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota.
PAID
Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 1547