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CONCERT SEASON A Musical Journey of the Heart season
48 2016 - 2017
SPRING CONCERTS
Sponsored by Thrivent Financial
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THE VOCALESSENCE 2017-2018 CONCERT SEASON Be there when our 49th season lineup is unveiled at the Miracle Mass Concert on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at the Basilica of Saint Mary.
vocalessence.org
2016-2017 Season
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VOCALESSENCE
CONTENTS
1900 Nicollet Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403 612-547-1451 vocalessence.org
CONCERT: VocalEssence WITNESS: Underground Railroad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 – 11
VocalEssence is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
facebook.com/vocalessence twitter.com/vocalessencemn linkedin.com/company/vocalessence
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kathryn Roberts President Fred Moore Vice President
*In remembrance
Jacob Wolkowitz Treasurer Roma Calatayud-Stocks Secretary Steve Aggergaard Mary Ann Aufderheide Juile Bader Ann Barkelew Traci V. Bransford Philip Brunelle Julie Henderson Craven Debbie Estes Ann Farrell Richard Ford Wayne Gisslen Art Kaemmer, M.D. Joseph Kalkman David L. Mona David Myers Nancy F. Nelson, F.S.A. James M. Odland Cay Shea Hellervik Robert C. Smith Karl Speak Timothy Takach Jenny L. Wade Dorene Wernke Honorary Directors Dominick Argento William Bolcom Dave Brubeck* Aaron Copland* Håkan Hagegård Louise Heffelfinger* Eskil Hemberg* Betty Hulings* Sigrid Johnson James Earl Jones Garrison Keillor
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Donald Mitchell Helmuth Rilling John Rutter Peter Schickele Dr. André J. Thomas Eric Whitacre
ARTISTIC STAFF Philip Brunelle Artistic Director G. Phillip Shoultz, III Associate Conductor and Education Program Director Mary Jo Gothmann Accompanist
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Andrew Alness Artistic Assistant
Mary Ann Aufderheide Executive Director Jeff Bina Director of Finance and Operations
Community Engagement: VocalEssence WITNESS School Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 – 14 Community Engagement: Talented Tenth Apprentice Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Community Engagement: Reatha Clark King Award Winner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 CONCERT: Miracle Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 – 29 Community Engagement: VocalEssence ¡Cantaré!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 About VocalEssence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 – 32 Donor Spotlight: Lois Quam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Thank You, VocalEssence Donors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 – 39
PLEASE NOTE: • Concerts will be recorded for possible broadcast—please help us keep the performance space quiet. Take a moment now to check that all cell phones, paging devices, wristwatch alarms, and the like are turned off before the concert begins. Thank you for your cooperation. • Recording devices and cameras are prohibited. No photography, video, or audio recording is allowed in the concert hall. Please abstain from texting, tweeting, or checking your email during the concert. • Student and group discounts are available for most VocalEssence concerts. Half-price tickets are available to students (ages 6-18 and college) with a student ID. Groups of 10 or more save 15% on tickets. Children under age 6 are not allowed at VocalEssence performances, except for select community and family concerts, including VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! and Star of Wonder.
Robert Graham Education Manager
• Accessible seating is available at all of our concert venues. However, some of our facilities do not have elevator access to the balcony level. Please make your needs known when you order tickets.
Laura Holst Development and Marketing Associate
• You may return VocalEssence single concert tickets for resale up to 48 hours prior to a performance. No refunds or exchanges can be given; however, you will be sent a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution. (VocalEssence subscribers may call 612-371-5642 to request free ticket exchanges and lost ticket replacement.)
Amanda Timmer Education Associate Katrina Wallmeyer Director of Development and Communications Elissa Weller Grants and Special Events Manager
2016-2017 Season
• Latecomers will be seated at appropriate pauses in the concert according to the conductor’s wishes. Please plan plenty of time for locating the concert venue and parking. Or better yet, allow an extra hour and join us for Concert Conversations with the composers and artists, held one hour before most concerts.
2016-2017 48TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON SPECIAL THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THIS CONCERT Katherine B. Andersen Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation Charles M. Denny, Jr. & Carol E. Denny* Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Chorus America Reatha Clark King Walt McCarthy and Clara Ueland
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 4 PM Orchestra Hall 1111 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN Concert Conversation with vocal activist Melanie DeMore at 3 PM
Lois Quam Sunrise Banks
VocalEssence Chorus Franklin Middle School Chorus, Minneapolis Johnson Senior High School Chorus, Saint Paul North High School Chorus, Minneapolis Parkway Montessori and Community Middle School Chorus, Saint Paul Jacob Dodd, piano T. Mychael Rambo, narrator Nygel Witherspoon, cello Melanie DeMore, guest artist G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor
Thor Construction
Minnesota Humanities Center This work is funded in part with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
2016-2017 SEASON SPONSORS
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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.
*In remembrance
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SPECIAL THANKS Amherst Wilder Foundation Adult Day Health Center Jane Cunningham Barbara Zeis Augsburg College Caren Custer Vicki Olson Randall Davidson Franklin Middle School Hilary Buelow Karon Cunningham Sharon Harper Saida Hassan Johnson Senior High School Michael Thompson Theresa Westcott Kamau Kambui Circle for Cultural Learning Chris Crutchfield Alanna Galloway Clarence Kenon, Pilgrim Baptist Church
Longfellow Alternative High School Geneva Dorsey Padmini Udupa Georgia Marinkov-Omorean, Sabathani Senior Center Barbara Milon, Phyllis Wheatley Community Center Minnesota Hisotrical Society Matthew Cassady Richard Josey North High School Dr. Shawn Harris Berry John Luukkonen Parkway Montessori and Community Middle School Stephanie Bijoch Timothy Hofmann Rosemount-Apple ValleyEagan Public Schools Steve Albaugh Carita Green John Wollersheim
Unisys Judy K. Bornetun Scott Vogel VocalEssence WITNESS Advisory Committee Martha Arradondo Sylvia Bartley Traci Bransford Stanley Brown James Burroughs Eric Clark Richard Copeland Gary Cunningham Greg Cunningham Ashley Dubose Jacob Gayle Phyllis Goff Morris Goodwin Jr. Shawntera Hardy Jeff Hassan Valton Henderson Josie Johnson
Reatha Clark King Henry Lee Nicky Leingang Maria Mitchell Kim Nelson Jonathan Palmer Chadwick Phillips Natasha Robertson Fr. Erich Rutten Sharon Smith-Akinsanya Jason Sole Lezlie Taylor George Thompson Traci Troup VocalEssence WITNESS Curriculum Writers Joanna Cartright Dwight Scott Magnolia Yang Sao Yia
LIVE GE NE ROU SLY For more information about Thrivent and how we help your community, visit Thrivent.com or call 800-847-4836. Appleton, Wisconsin • Minneapolis, Minnesota Thrivent.com • 800-847-4836 • 28143 R11-16
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2016-2017 Season
WELCOME
THE PROGRAM
This year marks the 27th anniversary of VocalEssence WITNESS, celebrating the contributions of African Americans to our shared American heritage! The program has grown tremendously over the course of those years. What began as a single concert with a single school partner now embraces 55 schools throughout our metropolitan region thanks to our phenomenal WITNESS Teaching Artists and WITNESS Teacher Resource Guide, which serves as a model nationwide. We take great pride in providing materials that help teachers celebrate the African American experience through the arts.
Sopranos and Altos of VocalEssence Chorus Keep Yo’ Lamps
Rosephanye Powell (2011)
VocalEssence Chorus Would You Harbor Me?
Ysaÿe Barnwell (1994)
This year we are especially pleased to welcome vocal activist Melanie DeMore back to the Twin Cities as our featured guest. Melanie passionately advocates for the building of community through dialogue and song. I know you will be captivated by her dynamic presence and generous spirit. We are also delighted to share the stage with over 100 young people from our four partner schools: Franklin Middle and North High in Minneapolis and Parkway Middle and Johnson High in St. Paul. Since October, these young people and their teachers have diligently prepared to become one dynamic chorus. I know you will be absolutely amazed by their sound and inspired by their presence. Now, I encourage you to sit back and prepare to bask in the glory of our community at its finest—people of all ages and backgrounds coming together in song! — G. Phillip Shoultz, III, Associate Conductor and Education Program Director
Freedom’s Plow Dominick DiOrio T. Mychael Rambo and Melanie DeMore, narrators (2009) River Holy
Daniel Kantor (2009)
Tenors and Basses of the VocalEssence Chorus Harriet Tubman
Rollo Dilworth (2015)
VocalEssence Chorus The Gift to Sing VocalEssence ReMix Composer Winner Combined Choirs We Can Mend the Sky
Emily Feld (2016) Jake Runestad (2014)
INTERMISSION
Presentation of Reatha Clark King Award
Philip Brunelle and Reatha Clark King
Combined Choirs, Melanie DeMore Sing ’til the Power of the Lord Come Down Traditional, arr. Ysaÿe Barnwell and Melanie DeMore Balm in Gilead Traditional, arr. Melanie DeMore Spirituals Medley Traditional, arr. Melanie DeMore Wade in the Water Run, Mary, Run Go Down, Moses Way O’er in Beulah Land Sanctuary
Melanie DeMore (2016)
Glory John Stephens, Lonnie Lynn, Che Smith, arr. Mark Brymer (2014) And the People Will Sing Selections to be announced from the stage
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TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS KEEP YO’ LAMPS Rosephanye Powell Keep yo’ lamps burnin’ The time is drawin’ nigh. Don’t you get weary children, The time is drawin’ nigh. Traditional
So we must follow the river’s light Heed its calling through the night, Whose promise pierces our bleakest strife, Beckons us to new life. Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus Steal away, steal away home, I ain’t got long to be here. Joseph Gryskiewicz and Daniel Kantor
WOULD YOU HARBOR ME? Ysaÿe Barnwell
HARRIET TUBMAN Rollo Dilworth
Would you harbor me? Would I harbor you? Would you harbor me? Would I harbor you? Would you harbor a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew, A heretic, convict, or spy? Would you harbor a runaway woman or child, A poet, a prophet, a king? Would you harbor an exile or a refugee, A person living with AIDS? Would you harbor a Tubman, a Garret, a Truth, A fugitive or a slave? Would you harbor a Haitian, Korean, or Czech, A lesbian or a gay? Would you harbor me? Would I harbor you? Ysaÿe Barnwell
Harriet Tubman didn’t take no stuff Wasn’t scared of nothing neither Didn’t come in this world to be no slave And wasn’t going to stay one either
FREEDOM’S PLOW Dominick DiOrio Hold on! Keep your hand on the plow, hold on! Heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me I am the way.” Keep your hand on the plow, hold on! When my way gets dark as night, I know the Lord will be my light. Keep your hand on the plow, hold on! You can talk about me as much as you please, The more you talk gonna stay on my knees. Keep your hand on the plow, hold on! When I get to heaven gonna sing and shout, Be nobody there to put me out. Keep your hand on the plow, hold on! Hold on! Keep your hand on the plow, hold on! Traditional Spiritual RIVER HOLY Daniel Kantor Alone we wander, through darkness roam River holy, guide us home, At water’s crossing, the sacred seam Dawn of freedom we dream. As lightning shadows what we betray Rights the journey to the day When all in shackles go unenslaved, Hope of longing still saves.
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“Farewell!” she sang to her friends one night She was mighty sad to leave ‘em But she ran away that dark, hot night Ran looking for her freedom She ran to the woods and she ran through the woods With the slave catchers right behind her And she kept on going till she got to the North Where those mean men couldn’t find her Nineteen times she went back South To get three hundred others She ran for her freedom nineteen times To save Black sisters and brothers Harriet Tubman didn’t take no stuff Wasn’t scared of nothing neither Didn’t come in this world to be no slave And didn’t stay one either Eloise Greenfield THE GIFT TO SING Emily Feld Sometimes the mist overhangs my path, And blackening clouds about me cling; But, oh, I have a magic way To turn the gloom to cheerful day — I softly sing. And if the way grows darker still, Shadowed by Sorrow’s somber wing, With glad defiance in my throat, I pierce the darkness with a note, And sing, and sing. I brood not over the broken past, Nor dread whatever time may bring; No nights are dark, no days are long, While in my heart there swells a song, And I can sing. James Weldon Johnson
WE CAN MEND THE SKY Jake Runestad My sister was an English teacher at the Minnesota International Middle School in Minneapolis which provides a safe and inclusive environment for East African immigrant students to learn (many of whom are Somali). Most of these students came to the USA to escape the violent civil war that has plagued Somalia since 1991. Seeking a better life for their children, these students’ parents risked their lives to come to the USA—a valiant act of love. I wanted to tell their story through music and asked my sister to have her students write poems about their experiences leaving their home and coming to the USA. I sifted through more than 100 poems and found the powerful words of 14-year-old Warda Mohamed that became the backbone of the composition. Using Warda’s poem and two Somali proverbs, “We Can Mend the Sky” is a musical depiction of one’s journey as an immigrant and an affirmation of hope as we all embrace the diversity around us. —Jake Runestad Let My Dream Come True In my dream I saw a world free of violence hunger suffering a world filled with love Now awake in this world I beg, let my dream come true. Soo baxa. (Let’s go.) Naftu orod bay kugu aamintaa. (To save your life, run with all your might.) If we come together, we can mend a crack in the sky. SING ’TIL THE POWER OF THE LORD COME DOWN Traditional, arr. Ysaÿe Barnwell and Melanie DeMore Now let us sing ’til the power of the Lord come down. Lift up your voice, don’t be afraid. Sing ‘til the power of the Lord come down. Amazing grace, How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found, Was blind, but now I see.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms; What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms. Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the everlasting arms; Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms. BALM IN GILEAD Traditional, arr. Melanie DeMore There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole, there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my work’s in vain, but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul, you can tell the love of Jesus and say, “He died for all.” Traditional SPIRITUALS MEDLEY Traditional, arr. Melanie DeMore Wade in the Water Wade in the water, wade in the water children Wade in the water, God’s gonna trouble the water. Run, Mary, Run Run, Mary, run! I got a right to the tree of life. Go Down, Moses Go down, Moses, way down to Egypt land, Tell old Pharaoh to let my people go. Way O’er in Beulah Land Way over in Beulah Land. We’re gonna have a good time. Traditional SANCTUARY Melanie DeMore Description: “Sanctuary” is a stick pounding selection composed specifically for the 2017 VocalEssence WITNESS program.
We’re marching to Zion, Beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion, The beautiful city of God. 2016-2017 Season
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GLORY
John Stephens, Lonnie Lynn, Che Smith, arr. Mark Brymer
Chorus: One day when the glory comes it will be ours Oh, one day when the war is won we will be sure Oh glory Hands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon Formed against, yes, glory is destined. Every day women and men become legends. Sins that go against our skin become blessings. The movement is a rhythm to us. Freedom is like religion to us. Justice is juxtaposition in us. Justice for all just ain’t specific enough.
ONE VOICE MIXED CHORUS presents
WELL ED VERS FEATURING PLUS YOUTH POETS AND
Saturday, March 18, 2017 7:30pm
One son died, his spirit is revisitin’ us. Truant livin’ in us, resistance is us That’s why Rosa sat on the bus That’s why we walk through Ferguson with our hands up When it go down we woman and man up They say, “Stay down”, and we stand up Shots, we on the ground, the camera panned up King pointed to the mountain top and we ran up Chorus Now the war is not over, victory isn’t won And we’ll fight on to the finish, then when it’s all done We’ll cry glory, oh glory! Selma’s now for every man, woman and child Even Jesus got his crown in front of a crowd They marched with the torch, we gon’ run with it now Never look back, we done gone hundreds of miles. From dark roads he rose, to become a hero; Facin’ the league of justice, his power was the people. Enemy is lethal, a king became regal Saw the face of Jim Crow under a bald eagle The biggest weapon is to stay peaceful. We sing, our music is the cuts that we bleed through Somewhere in the dream we had an epiphany Now we right the wrongs in history, No one can win the war individually. It takes the wisdom of the elders and young people’s energy, Welcome to the story we call victory. The comin’ of the Lord, my eyes have seen the glory Chorus John Stephens, Lonnie Lynn, Che Smith
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Ordway Concert Hall
345 Washington St., St. Paul 55102
651.224.4222
www.OneVoiceMN.org 651.298.1954
Building community and creating social change by raising our voices in song.
BIOGRAPHIES Melanie DeMore is an energetic vocal advocate who identifies herself with a few other titles: songwriter, troubadour, and an emissary of tolerance, kindness, and harmony. As a founding member of the Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, Melanie has traveled the world. She performs solo, leads stick-pounding workshops, holds residencies with choirs all over the country and teaches Sound Awareness to sixth graders, baby boomers, and senior citizens. Throughout her life, her mission is to unlock the key to experiencing Glory in everyone she meets through her passion and boundless energy. In 2014 Melanie was the VocalEssence WITNESS Artist celebrating the Gullah tradition. Jacob Dodd is a recent graduate of Jackson State University where he majored in piano performance and studied music education for three years. He is currently the accompanist for ComMUSICation and piano instructor at Walker West Music Academy. He previously served as assistant music director at Pilgrim Baptist Church and has won several competitions including the Tennessee State University James Hefner Piano Competition in March, 2012 and the Mississippi Music Teachers Association Junior/Senior Solo Competition in February 2013. Franklin Middle School is a community school providing a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) focused education to prepare students to attend and be successful in North High School’s Communication Arts and Summatech programs. The Franklin staff are highly skilled and excited to help students learn, grow, and excel. They believe that their students’ preparation for success is not only enhanced throughout the school day but also after school with their extracurricular and athletic opportunities: Spanish, GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math and Science), GISE (Guys in Science and Engineering), swimming, band, choir, dance, drumline, stepping, sports, cheerleading, mentors, student council, peer mediation, and visual art. Ed Graff is the superintendent of Minneapolis
Public Schools, Karon Cunningham is the principal of Franklin Middle School, and Hilary Buelow is the choir director. Johnson Senior High School, located on the historic east side of Saint Paul, is a 9-12 high school with approximately 1500 students. It is home to the Saint Paul School District’s Aerospace & Engineering program that attracts students from all corners of St. Paul. As a certified “Project Lead the Way” school, students can choose from six different pre-engineering classes that offer college credit, as well as a broad range of Advanced Placement and College in the Schools courses. Johnson offers students many ways to follow their interests, including more than 40 clubs and organizations and 25 athletic teams. Dr. John Thein is the interim superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools, Micheal Thompson is the principal of Johnson Senior High School, and Theresa Westcott is the conductor of the Johnson Senior High School Choir. North Community High School is located in North Minneapolis. Its mission is to ensure that all students acquire the knowledge, skills, and habits to succeed in a challenging college program and 21st century workforce. They are committed to advancing students from their present level of academic performance to a level that exceeds high school standards. North High School is a college-preparatory school providing exceptional academics and small class sizes within two different academies: The North Academy of Arts & Communications (NAAC) and the North Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The school forges partnerships with families, communities, other schools, governmental agencies, businesses, and organizations to realize their vision. Ed Graff is the superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools, Dr. Shawn Harris Berry is the principal of North High School, and John Luukkonen is the music teacher.
learning style. Instruction is based on guiding each child to discover his or her individual strengths, needs, likes, and learning styles under the Montessori philosophy. In addition to core subjects, Parkway offers vocal and instrumental music, visual arts, Japanese and French languages, computer-aided design, physical education, after-school sports, and Extended Day for Learning (EDL). Dr. John Thein is the interim superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools, Jocelyn Sims is the principal of Parkway Montessori and Community Middle School, and Stephanie Bijoch is the music teacher. Nygel Witherspoon (15) has been studying the cello with his teacher, David Holmes, since he was three years old. He has attended Bravo! String and Keyboard Institute for nine years. He enjoys playing chamber music, and was coached for four years by Bruce Coppock. He has performed in masterclasses with Peter Wiley, Bruce Coppock, Benjamin Zander, Tanya Remenikova, Arek Tesarcyzk, and Amit Peled. He performs on a cello generously donated by the Virtu Foundation. Biography for T. Mychael Rambo is listed on page 14.
Parkway Montessori and Community Middle School is the first Montessori middle school in Saint Paul Public School history. The school opened in fall 2013, and is located in the former Parkway Elementary School in the northeast quadrant of Saint Paul. Parkway teaches standards-based SPPS curriculum in the Montessori way: independent inquiry rooted in each student’s interests and 2016-2017 Season
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A BRIEF HISTORY
In 1991, VocalEssence WITNESS was created to celebrate the contributions of African Americans to the fine arts and to our common cultural heritage. By commissioning and programming rarely heard works by African American composers, and featuring African American guest artists, we help broaden ideas about African American musical expression and introduce new voices to our audiences through concerts, recordings, and broadcasts. Past VocalEssence WITNESS concert guest artists and composers have included James Earl Jones, Bobby McFerrin, Billy Taylor, Moore by Four, Sounds of Blackness, Morehouse College Glee Club, Sweet Honey In The Rock®, and many more.
SCHOOL PROGRAM
Consisting of three components—Artist Workshops, Teacher Resources, and a Young People’s Concert—the VocalEssence WITNESS School Program is geared toward students in grades 4-12, and has reached more than 130,000 students since its inception. ·
Young People’s Concert (YPC): An abbreviated version of the VocalEssence WITNESS public concert, the YPCs reach more than 6,700 students through two performances at the Minneapolis Convention Center Auditorium.
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Artist Workshops: VocalEssence offers WITNESS partner schools two free days of workshops that allow students to work with a VocalEssence WITNESS Teaching Artist. Teaching Artists explore the annual program theme through their artistic discipline, creating an integrative academic experience that combines the study of African American culture with art, music, social studies, literature, theater, character building, and other areas of school curriculum. Unique this season, schools will have the option of bringing a group of students to participate in an Underground Railroad simulation, a program facilitated by the Kamau Kambui Circle for Cultural Learning.
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Teacher Resources: Teachers at participating schools attend a half-day orientation seminar that engages them with professionally-written, culturally relevant lesson plans that fulfill Minnesota Academic Standards and introduces them to the VocalEssence WITNESS Teaching Artists.
VocalEssence WITNESS is critical for many students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a professional event at a major concert hall. We believe that an education and performance experience like VocalEssence WITNESS gives students an opportunity to learn from exceptional role models, increasing their self-esteem, and creating a desire to continue exploring ways to express themselves through the arts. For more information or to sign up for the 2017-2018 VocalEssence WITNESS School Program, contact Rob Graham at robert@vocalessence.org or 612-547-1458.
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2016-2017 PARTNER SCHOOLS* Alice Smith Elementary School Andersen Elementary School Anoka Middle School for the Arts Aquila Elementary School Arcadia Charter School Brooklyn Center Secondary Arts and IB World School Brooklyn Middle STEAM School Burnside Elementary School Central Elementary School Champlin Park High School Como Park Senior High School Creative Arts Secondary School Eastern Heights Elementary School Evergreen Park World Cultures Community School Folwell School, Performing Arts Magnet Franklin Middle School Gatewood Elementary School Glacier Hills Elementary School of Arts and Science Glen Lake Elementary School Harambee Elementary School Hazel Park Preparatory Academy Highland Catholic School Highland Elementary School (Apple Valley) Highland Elementary School (Columbia Heights) Hillcrest Community School Jefferson Community School Johnson Senior High School Juvenile Detention Service Center (Saint Paul)
Lake Nokomis Community School - Keewaydin Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts Little Canada Elementary School Longfellow Alternative High School Marine Elementary School Mounds Park Academy Nativity of Our Lord School North Park Elementary School Northside Elementary School Oak Park Elementary School Oak Ridge Elementary School Parkview Elementary School Parkway Montessori Middle School Partnership Academy Charter School Pilgrim Lutheran School Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet School Rosemount High School Rutherford Elementary School Sanford Middle School Sheridan Arts Spanish Dual Immersion Sonnesyn Elementary School Southside Family Charter School St. Peter Catholic School Valley View Elementary School Westview Elementary School Withrow Elementary School Woodland Elementary School
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TEACHING ARTISTS 2016-2017 Timothy Berry: Vocalist, Composer, and Percussionist · Eclectic performance appearances: Afro-Latin band, Grammy Award Winner Larnelle Harris, and Robert Robinson · Composing awards: Live Music for Dance, Cultural Community Partnership grant, and winner in the Essentially Choral Competition for emerging American composers sponsored by VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum · Assistant Professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato Patricia Brown: Dance Instructor, Choreographer, and Performer · African-based movement styles · Primary and secondary schools, detention facilities, organizations, and theaters including: Stepping Stone, Penumbra, Pillsbury House, Children’s and In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theaters · Teaches at Macalester College and the University of Minnesota, where she was awarded the College of Continuing Education Distinguished Teaching Award, and the Century Council Diverse Community Award Brandon Commodore: Drummer, Musician, and Producer · Touring drummer with Mint Condition and the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness · Founder of the band #MPLS · Songwriter and producer, doing music production for television, radio, and artists · Attended McNally Smith College of Music · Has taught drum and percussion at Walker West Music Academy and served as a mentor to many students Ginger Commodore: Singer, Songwriter, and Actress · Performs jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, contemporary, and gospel · Acts and sings with Penumbra Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, Children’s Theatre Company, Minnesota Opera, Hey City, Chanhassen Dinner Theater · Sharing the stage with Rachelle Ferrell is her career highlight Karla Nweje: Arts Educator, Performer, Choreographer, and Literary Artist · BFA in Dance Performance from Brooklyn College/CUNY · Performed and toured with several dance and theater companies · Former academic school teacher · Creates work and performs with her group, The Samimejon Movement · 2013 recipient of Ordway’s Excellence in Educational Service Award · Regular presenter at arts and education conferences and summits Page 14
2016-2017 Season
T. Mychael Rambo: Actor and Vocalist · Performer with Penumbra Theatre, the Guthrie, Ordway, Illusion Theatre, Mixed Blood, Park Square, Children’s Theatre, and Minnesota Opera · Affiliate professor in the College of Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Minnesota · Honors and awards: singing national anthem for President Obama, 2008 Regional Emmy Award, 2009 Sally Award, 2010 Minnesota Black Music Award, Young Audience Artist of the Year, McKnight Theatre Artist Fellowship, Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Fellowship, Bush Finalist, the University of Minnesota Century Council Community Award, and Outstanding Community Service Award · Co-presents with Anita Ruth Anita Ruth: Musician · Works with over 300 students yearly in theatrical productions sponsored by Project SUCCESS · Music Director/Conductor for four mainstage productions at Bloomington Civic Theater each year · Music director for over 200 shows in the Twin Cities area · Co-presents with T. Mychael Rambo Marciano Silva Dos Santos: Dancer and Choreographer · Native of Brazil; studied theater and dance at FAFI, a professional performing arts school in Vitória, Brazil · Founder, choreographer and artistic director of Contempo Physical Dance, as well as dancer at TU Dance and Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater, and in Penumbra Theater’s Black Nativity · Recognized by the American Folkloric Society in 2006 as a Brazilian folk artist of unique and exceptional ability and merit Roxane Wallace: Performer, Dancer, Instructor, and Choreographer · McKnight Artist Fellow in Dance · Minnesota Sage Award for Outstanding Performer · Principal artist with Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater for the past 15 years · Teaching artist for the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts and instructor at Zenon Dance Studio
We welcome you!
Sundays—9:45 First Service especially for families & 10:30 Sanctuary Service Plymouth Congregational Church
Philip Brunelle, Organist and Choirmaster Proud to be the home of VocalEssence 1900 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 612/871-7400 www.plymouth.org Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TALENTED TENTH APPRENTICE PROGRAM Inspired by the principals of African American scholar W.E.B. DuBois, the VocalEssence Talented Tenth Apprentice Program (TTAP) offers urban-area high school students the opportunity to receive professional music and vocal training. The program includes: ·
Mentorship with VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III and the VocalEssence Chorus
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Transportation assistance as needed to VocalEssence WITNESS rehearsals and concert
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Singing on stage with VocalEssence and guest artists
In partnership with Johnson High School in Saint Paul, Phillip worked with this year’s TTAP students, preparing them for a performance at the MLK Holiday Breakfast. These students are also performing with the VocalEssence Chorus this afternoon and will be joined by singers from VocalEssence for an assembly at their school, sharing with the student body their experience singing with VocalEssence and encouraging other students to join choir.
For more information, please contact G. Phillip Shoultz, III at gps@vocalessence.org or 612-547-1453.
© Bruce Silcox
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Encouraging break-out musical artists—whether you sing in a rock band or play classical music—to write for voice. Six-month mentorship with composer Libby Larsen, Carol Barnett, J. David Moore, or Timothy Takach. Pieces premiered at the ACDA-MN State Conference in November 2017.
APPLY TODAY
Applications due May 1, 2017 For more information, visit vocalessence.org/remix
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
REATHA CLARK KING AWARD WINNER The Reatha Clark King Award for Excellence and Youth Motivation through the Cultural Arts was developed by VocalEssence in 2007 to celebrate and recognize leaders and organizations that provide the resources to empower youth through direct contact, making a way for them to be as successful as they can be. The eleventh recipient of this award is T. Mychael Rambo. Regional Emmy Award winning actor, vocalist, arts educator, and community organizer, T. Mychael has made an indelible mark here in the Twin Cities. He is celebrating 20 years this season as a VocalEssence WITNESS Teaching Artist, inspiring thousands of students through his workshops with teaching partner Anita Ruth. In addition to teaching at VocalEssence, T. Mychael has performed principle roles at such theaters as: Penumbra, the Guthrie, Ordway Theatre, Illusion Theatre, Mixed Blood, Park Square Theatre, Children’s Theatre, and Minnesota Opera to name but a few. Nationally and internationally his stage credits include Carnegie Hall and performances abroad in Africa, Europe, and South America. He has appeared in local and national television commercials, feature films, HBO mini-series, and other television programming. T. Mychael is an accomplished residency artist and an affiliate professor in the College of Liberal Arts, Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Minnesota. He has had the great honor of singing the national anthem for both former President Barack Obama and former President Jimmy Carter. T. Mychael is also the proud recipient of the 2009 Sally Award in Education presented by the Ordway and the 2010 Minnesota Black Music Award. His other honors and awards include Young Audience Artist of the Year with his dear friend and teaching partner Anita Ruth, McKnight Theatre Artist Fellowship, Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Fellowship, Bush Finalist, and both the University of Minnesota Century Council Community Award and Outstanding Community Service Award.
PAST REATHA CLARK KING AWARD WINNERS 2016: Dr. Josie Robinson Johnson 2015: Sanford Moore 2014: General Mills 2013: Phyllis Wheatley Community Center 2012: Theresa Neal 2011: Sharon Sayles Belton 2010: Laysha Ward 2009: Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan C. Page and Diane Sims Page 2008: Patricia A. Harvey 2007: Ms. Ossie Brooks James
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2016-2017 48TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON SPECIAL THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THIS CONCERT Annette Conklin Bill and Ruth Davini The Frederic Chopin Society, Inc. The John and Ruth Huss Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation Frederick Langendorf Tadeusz Majewski and Burcin Ozel Mark and Mary Sigmond
SPECIAL THANKS
MIRACLE MASS Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 8 PM The Basilica of Saint Mary 1600 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MN Concert Conversation with pianist and composer Stephen Hough at 7 PM VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers Stephen Hough, piano Aaron David Miller, organ Philip Brunelle, conductor
Basilica of Saint Mary Kathy Dhaemers Johan van Parys Ann Buran Alex Dangerfield, Josef Weinberger, Ltd. Jack and Cathy Farrell
2016-2017 SEASON SPONSORS
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.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! is a unique program designed to bring the talents of composers from Mexico directly into Minnesota classrooms. Now in its ninth year, Mexican composers Samuel Pascoe and Rodrigo Cadet are spending four weeks over the course of three visits with elementary, high school, and community choral singers, exploring Mexican cultural and choral music traditions, and writing new music specifically for each ensemble. The program will culminate with a premiere performance of the new compositions at the VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Community Concert at Ordway Concert Hall on May 2, 2017 at 7 PM. Selected works will be published by VocalEssence Music Press and distributed through Graphite Publishing. Tickets for the concert are free and available at vocalessence.org. New this season, VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! is extending to Chicago, IL. VocalEssence is supporting Chicago a cappella as they implement ¡Cantaré! with Rodrigo Cadet in the Chicago metro area, which will premiere new choral works at the ¡Cantaré! Chicago Community Concert on May 12, 2017 at Rockefeller Chapel.
For more information, please contact VocalEssence at info@vocalessence.org or 612-547-1451.
© Stephen Maturen
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WELCOME There are certain artists that excel in many disciplines: such an artist is Stephen Hough. Many of us have admired his artistry as a pianist— actually, as one of the greatest pianists of our time! What many people do not know is that he is also an exceptional composer who strives to bring words to life in new ways. When I came upon his marvelous choral music I knew that we needed to invite Stephen to be with us as both performer and composer! His artistry as a pianist and his depth of interpretation are magnificent—and when I asked him what composer he wished to play on a program with his own music he immediately answered—Debussy. Stephen’s deep faith resonates in his choral music and his juxtaposition of texts with the Latin mass give us new meanings for these ancient words. Thank you, Stephen, for what you continue to bring us in your creativity as both a composer and a pianist. —Philip Brunelle, Artistic Director and Founder
THE PROGRAM Stephen Hough, piano Clair de lune Claude Debussy (1905) Images Book II Claude Debussy (1907) VocalEssence Ensemble Singers Just As I Am Stephen Hough (2014) Mass of Innocence and Experience Stephen Hough (2013)
INTERMISSION Stephen Hough, piano La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune Claude Debussy (1913) Images Book I Claude Debussy (1904) VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers Missa Mirabilis (Miracle Mass) Stephen Hough (2006)
COMMUNITY CONCERT 2017 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 7 pm Ordway Concert Hall, Saint Paul
Adams Spanish Immersion School, Saint Paul Highland Park Senior High School, Saint Paul Irondale High School, New Brighton Meadow Lake Elementary School, New Hope Richard R. Green Central Park School, Minneapolis Washburn High School, Minneapolis University of Minnesota Women’s Chorus, Minneapolis VocalEssence Chorus G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor TICKETS: FREE (available March 1, 2017) vocalessence.org • 612-371-5656 2016-2017 Season
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TEXT AND TRANSLATIONS JUST AS I AM Stephen Hough Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thy love unknown Hath broken ev’ry barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Charlotte Elliott
CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY OF VOICES.
Listen at classicalmpr.org/choral
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MASS OF INNOCENCE AND EXPERIENCE Stephen Hough Mass of Innocence and Experience is a missa brevis with poems of William Blake alongside traditional, plainchant settings of the Latin ordinaries. Its four movements are arranged as follows: KYRIE: plainchant (women) Poison Tree – Blake (men) Sins of Hatred GLORIA: plainchant (men) Spring – Blake (women) Joy of Creation SANCTUS: plainchant (women) O Rose – Blake (men) Sins of Flesh AGNUS DEI: plainchant (men) Little Lamb – Blake (women) Joy of Creator There are thus two poems from the Songs of Innocence sung by the women, and two from Songs of Experience sung by the men, with the plainchant acting as a sort of cantus firmus throughout. In the Kyrie and Sanctus the evil and suffering in the poems is opposed to, yet perhaps finds a solution in, the Mass texts; whereas in the Gloria and Agnus Dei the poems and texts are in partnership, amplifying the meaning of each. The evil in the Kyrie-Poison Tree is almost a Cain and Abel scenario, the beginning of human life with the tragedy of original sin; the Gloria-Spring is the angelic hymn at the birth of Christ as if ushering in a new season or era; in the Sanctus-Rose the holiness of God is set alongside the disordered passions of humans; and in Agnus-Little Lamb we see almost a vision of the end of time, with Christ gathering the lambs under His arms. The music of the Blake settings is based on transformations of the plainchant melodies. In the two movements where the texts are most opposed (Kyrie and Sanctus) the melodies are closest; whereas in the Gloria it is the harmonic implications of the Missa de Angelis which are utilized. At the Kyrie climax, as the Blake text reveals more and more its nightmare vision of hatred and bitterness, the music is of a style more associated with love. The overlapping sequences, based on the Kyrie chant, are almost banal as they rise towards the pinnacle of the murder and the imploring canonic outburst of the women’s choir. In the Gloria and Agnus Dei the women’s music is of the utmost innocence—either songs at play or a gentle lullaby. —Stephen Hough Kyrie (Poison Tree) Kyrie eleison
Lord, have mercy
Piper Jaffray is proud to sponsor VocalEssence 2016-2017 season concerts
I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I water’d it in fears, Night and morning with my tears; And I sunned it with smiles, And with soft deceitful wiles, And it grew both day and night, Till it bore an apple bright; And my foe beheld it shine, And he knew that it was mine,
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And into my garden stole When the night had veil’d the pole: In the morning glad I see My foe outstretched beneath the tree. Christe eleison Kyrie eleison
Christ, have mercy Lord, have mercy piperjaffray.com Since 1895. Member SIPC and NYSE. © 2016 Piper Jaffray & Co. 12/16 CM-16-1042
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Gloria (Spring) Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax hominibus bonĂŚ voluntatis.
Glory be to God in the highest. And in earth peace to all of good will.
Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam.
We praise Thee. We bless Thee. We worship Thee. We glorify Thee. We give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory.
Sound the Flute! Now it’s mute. Birds delight Day and night; Nightingale In the dale, Lark in Sky, Merrily, Merrily, merrily, to welcome in the Year. Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, O Lord God, Heavenly King, Deus Pater omnipotens. God the Father Almighty. Domine Fili unigenite. Jesu Christe. O Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Lord God, Lamb of God, Filius Patris. Son of the Father. Little Boy, Full of joy; Little Girl, Sweet and small; Cock does crow, So do you; Merry voice, Infant noise, Merrily, merrily, to welcome in the Year. Qui tollis peccata mundi, Thou that takest away the sins of the world, miserere nobis. have mercy upon us. Qui tollis peccata mundi, Thou that takest away the sins of the world, suscipe deprecationem nostram. receive our prayer. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, miserere nobis. have mercy upon us. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus,
For thou only art holy,
Little Lamb, Here I am; Come and lick My white neck; tu solus Dominus, thou only art the Lord, Let me pull Your soft wool; Let me kiss Your soft face: tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe. Merrily, merrily, we welcome in the Year. Page 24
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thou only art the Most High, Jesus Christ.
Cum Sancto Spiritu, Together with the Holy Ghost, in gloria Dei Patris. in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Amen. Sound the Flute! Full of Joy! Sanctus (O Rose) Sanctus, Sanctus, Holy, Holy, O Rose, thou art sick! The invisible worm, That flies in the night, In the howling storm, Has found out thy bed Of crimson joy: Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra, gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis.
Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest.
And his dark secret love Does thy life destroy. Benedictus qui venit In nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.
Blessed are they that come In the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Agnus Dei (Little Lamb) Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Gave thee life and bid thee feed, By the stream and o’er the mead; Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing, wooly, bright; Gave thee such a tender voice, Making all the vales rejoice? Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee; Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee: He is callèd by thy name, For He calls Himself a Lamb. He is meek, and He is mild: He became a little child. I a child, and thou a lamb. We are callèd by His name. Little Lamb, God bless thee! Little Lamb, God bless thee! Agnus Dei, Lamb of God, qui tollis peccata mundi, Who takest away the sins of the world, miserere nobis. Have mercy upon us. Agnus Dei. Lamb of God. Dona nobis pacem. Grant us peace. 2016-2017 Season
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MISSA MIRABILIS Stephen Hough I was delighted when Martin Baker asked me if I would like to write a Mass for Westminster Cathedral because I had had one in mind for a while, and this commission encouraged me to get down to work. The central idea, and the central movement, is the Credo—in some ways the most problematic text to set because of its length and the non-poetic nature of the words. But instead of setting the words simply in a descriptive way, I wanted to explore aspects of the psychology which underlies the whole nature of belief and doubt. The Creed contains line after line of densely-packed, carefully articulated theology—as watertight and restrictive as Nicea could make it. But I, like most Catholics, have said these words quickly, without thinking fully of the depth (or daring) of what is being expressed. And what does ‘believing’ in these pregnant clauses actually mean? When I stand and affirm that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father and the Son” what am I saying? And what about those who have ceased to believe and yet still rattle off blithely the bold print in the Missal after the sermon and before the offertory? In my setting of the Credo I divide the upper from the lower voices as if innocence from experience. Only the soprano and alto sing the word ‘Credo’, constantly interrupting the fastpaced mutterings of the tenors and basses. What at first is an encouragement to believe becomes a despairing cry as the men’s pattered rote turns into defiant unbelief. Only the clause about baptism is sung with any sense of faith—a last hope dashed as the final clauses about resurrection and eternal life fizzle out. A final ‘Credo’ is sung an octave lower by the upper voices— quietly, as if tired and shattered from their earlier, futile exertion.
‘peace’ the organ plays an interlude of mounting agitation and desperation based on chromatically altered fragments of the opening vocal chords. As this passage reaches its high point, with still no sign of ‘Dona Nobis Pacem’, the chorus sings a fortissimo ‘Agnus Dei’ to the music which had accompanied the baptism clause in the Credo. Finally, as a climax to the whole work, the ‘Dona Nobis Pacem’, is sung at its highest volume and highest pitch—a variation of the descending scale first heard in the Christe Eleison. The spell has been broken, all gradually becomes calm, and the piece ends musically as it began with the Dona Nobis sharing the same melody of consolation as the Kyrie, despite a fleeting fragment of the unsettled chorale from the work’s opening bars. And why ‘Mirabilis’ ? Purely personal: I gathered my year’sworth of sketches for this Mass together in September 2006 and wrote three of the movements in three days; the following day I had a serious car crash, overturning on the motorway at 80 mph; I stepped out of the one untouched door in my completely mangled car with my Mass manuscript and my body intact; I wrote part of the Agnus Dei in St. Mary’s Hospital, waiting for four hours for a brain scan. I was conscious, as I was somersaulting with screeching metallic acrobatics on the M1, of feeling regret that I would never get to hear this piece. Someone had other ideas. —Stephen Hough
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The whole work opens with a brief, muted, unsettled chorale (which we will later hear as the blazing series of chords punctuating the statements of the Credo). This moment of doubt lasts only for seconds and melts into the Kyrie proper, sung to music of sweet, simple consolation. The Gloria is joyful in its outer sections, based on an organ rising scale and a choral falling zigzag motive. In the central ‘Qui Tollis’ section the zigzag motive pipes away in repeated high chords, and the chorus now sing the rising scales. There are a few prophetic hints of the Credo here and there, in the ‘miserere nobis’ for example. The Sanctus and Benedictus aim to contrast the divine and the human. The angel’s ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ is something beyond the universe itself in grandeur and scope, and the music here is huge, broad, immense. In the Benedictus Divinity has become Humanity in the Messianic incarnation, and the music is deliberately and sentimentally intimate—as if two people are sharing a drink in a Parisian café, with a whiff of Poulenc perhaps in the harmonies, or maybe even the sound of a distant 1950s pop tune coming from a neighboring café’s jukebox. The Agnus Dei takes the ‘Credo’ motive, sung by the upper voices, and develops it in a plaintive sequence. All is restrained and quietly expressive until the third, louder statement of the text, where the response should be ‘Grant us peace’. Instead of Page 26
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By Christina Ham; Directed by Faye M. Price
FEB 7 – 26
Play with Music on the Andy Boss Thrust Stage
651.291.7005 parksquaretheatre.org Historic Hamm Building Downtown Saint Paul
Kyrie Eleison Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Gloria Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax hominibus bonĂŚ voluntatis.
Glory be to God in the highest. And in earth peace to all of good will.
Laudamus te; benedicimus te; adoramus te; glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam.
We praise Thee; we bless Thee; we worship Thee; we glorify Thee. We give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory.
Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite Jesu Christe. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.
O Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.
Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, O miserere nobis.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy upon us.
Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe. Cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris.
For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord, thou only art the Most High, Jesus Christ. Together with the Holy Ghost in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Amen.
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Credo Credo in unum Deum; Patrem omnipotentem, factorem coeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium.
I believe in one God; the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
Credo in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum, Et ex Patre natum ante omnia sæcula. Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero, Genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri: per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem descendit de coelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine: et homo factus est.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, light of light, true God of true God, begotten not made; being of one substance with the Father, by Whom all things were made. Who for us all and for our salvation descended from heaven; and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in coelum: sedet ad dexteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, judicare vivos et mortuos: cujus regni non erit finis.
He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And on the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures: and ascended into heaven. He sitteth at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; and His kingdom shall have no end.
Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum, et vivificantem: qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per Prophetas.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; as it was told by the Prophets.
Credo in unam sanctam catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam.
And I believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Confiteor unum baptisma, in remissionem peccatorum.
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum et vitam venturi sæculi.
And I await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Amen.
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Sanctus Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.
Blessed are they that come in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Agnus Dei Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei. Dona nobis pacem.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God. Grant us peace.
BIOGRAPHIES Stephen Hough is regarded as a renaissance man of his time. Over the course of his career he has distinguished himself as a true polymath, not only securing a reputation as a uniquely insightful concert pianist, but also as a writer and composer. Stephen is commended for his mastery of the instrument along with an individual and inquisitive mind which has earned him a multitude of prestigious awards and a long-standing international following. In 2001 Stephen was the first classical performing artist to win a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship. He regularly plays recitals around the world, and has composed numerous works for orchestra, choir, chamber ensemble, and solo piano. Stephen is a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music and holds the International Chair of Piano Studies at his alma mater, the Royal Northern College in Manchester. He is also a member of the faculty at The Juilliard School. Locally, he last appeared with the Minnesota Orchestra in 2014, The Schubert Club in 2012, and with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra at the Ravinia Festival in 1993. His first appearance in Minnesota was with the Chopin Society in 1994.
Aaron David Miller, renowned concert organist and composer, is noted for his highly imaginative and creative style. Prize winner of several prestigious competitions, including the top prize at the American Guild of Organists National Improvisation Competition, and the Bach and Improvisation prizes at the Calgary International Organ Festival Competition, he is also noted for his fine performances of repertoire spanning all periods. Recently he was invited to be among the performers for a special 10th anniversary performance for the Rosales organ in Los Angeles Disney Hall. Aaron completed his graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music, earning his Master of Music degree in 1997 and his Doctor of Musical Arts in 1999. Dr. Miller is currently the Music Director at House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul.
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ABOUT VOCALESSENCE As a leading Minnesota arts organization, VocalEssence uses the power of choral music to enhance our community by producing innovative vocal music events that stir people’s souls. Minneapolis-based VocalEssence has decades of history as one of the world’s premier choral music organizations. Despite its global influence, VocalEssence has kept its focus local—consistently pioneering ways to strengthen Minnesota’s community through thrilling musical experiences. We engage people of all ages and cultures through innovative, enticing choral music programming, such as performing ensembles, school curricula, elder learning initiatives, and advocacy projects. Called “one of the irreplaceable music ensembles of our time” by Dana Gioia, past chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, our two performing groups—the Ensemble Singers (32 professionals) and the VocalEssence Chorus (115 volunteers)— are made up entirely of local residents. VocalEssence is renowned for its innovative exploration of music for voices and instruments under the enthusiastic direction of Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle and Associate Conductor and Education Program Director G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Each season, VocalEssence presents an eclectic series of concerts featuring the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers and an array of guest soloists and instrumentalists. VocalEssence was founded in 1969 as the Plymouth Music Series, an arts outreach program of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis and incorporated as a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit in 1979. In 2002, the Plymouth Music Series changed its name to VocalEssence, capturing the essence of its mission to explore music for the human voice. In addition to championing lesser-known works of the past, VocalEssence has an unwavering commitment to today’s composers, which has resulted in more than 250 world premieres to date. The organization has received the ASCAP/ Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music six times and has been honored with more Chorus America awards than any other ensemble nationwide, including the Page 30
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once-in-an-organizational-lifetime Margaret Hillis Achievement Award for Choral Excellence. VocalEssence reaches into the community with programs that impact thousands of students, singers, and composers every year. VocalEssence WITNESS celebrates the contributions of African Americans and VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! brings the talents of composers from Mexico into Minnesota classrooms. VocalEssence partners with the American Composers Forum to offer the annual Welcome Christmas Carol Contest and VocalEssence ReMix. At VocalEssence, we believe when we sing together, we succeed together. We invite you to be a part of it.
Philip Brunelle
Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder of VocalEssence, is an internationallyrenowned conductor, choral scholar, and visionary. He has made his lifelong mission the promotion of the choral art in all its forms, especially rarely heard works of the past and outstanding new music. Under his leadership, VocalEssence has commissioned more than 250 works to date. Philip has conducted symphonies (New York Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, and Minnesota Orchestra among others) as well as choral festivals and operas on six continents. He is editor of two choral series for Boosey & Hawkes and chairman of the review committee for Walton Music. Philip is also OrganistChoirmaster at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. He appeared on the first and last broadcasts of A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor—42 years apart! Over the past decade Philip has been deeply involved with the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM). He served as president of the Sixth World Symposium on Choral Music, held in Minneapolis in 2002. He is a Vice President of the IFCM Board and served as Executive Director for the 2014 World Symposium on Choral Music in Seoul,
South Korea. For the 2017 Symposium in Barcelona he is serving as Artistic Advisor. His guest conducting engagements in 2016 included the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London; the professional Korean choir, Anyang Civic Chorale; and performances in Sweden of the Argento song cycle, “The Andrée Expedition.” He is the recipient of the Weston H. Noble Lifetime Achievement Award, given by the North Central American Choral Directors Association; the F. Melius Christiansen Lifetime Achievement Award, American Choral Directors Association-Minnesota Chapter’s highest honor; and the Michael Korn Founder’s Award for Development of the Professional Choral Art, Chorus America’s highest lifetime achievement award. Philip holds five honorary doctorates and has been recognized for his commitment to choral music by Norway (Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit), the United Kingdom (Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire), Hungary (Kodály Medal), Sweden (Royal Order of the Polar Star), and Mexico (Ohtli Recognition Award). And, listen to the new podcast on Philip: renaissancemanpodcast.com
G. Phillip Shoultz, III
Associate Conductor and Education Program Director Known for his innovative pedagogy and ability to inspire singers of all ages, G. Phillip Shoultz, III, enjoys a multifaceted career as conductor, educator, singer, and speaker. Phillip is the Associate Conductor of VocalEssence where he shares the podium with founding artistic director, and mentor, Philip Brunelle, and serves as the leader for education programs including VocalEssence WITNESS, VocalEssence ¡Cantaré!, and the Carnegie Hall Lullaby Project. In addition to his work with VocalEssence, he serves as director of music, worship, and the arts for Good Samaritan United Methodist Church and frequently appears as throughout the U.S. as a guest clinician, adjudicator, and consultant.
The winner of the 2015 American Choral Directors Association Graduate Student Conducting Competition, Phillip appeared as a Conducting Fellow with the Oregon Bach Festival, Chorus America, Choral Music Experience Institute, and several other summer programs. He has prepared choirs for performances in Canada, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Mexico, and Russia. Recently, he guest conducted the Manhattan Chorale in New York City and was also named as a 2017 ACDA International Conductors’ Exchange Program Participant which will afford him the opportunity to travel extensively in Central and South America. Phillip completed his doctoral studies in conducting at the University of Minnesota (D.M.A.) and also earned degrees with High Honors from the University of Georgia (B.A. and B.M.) and Georgia State University (M.M.). During his time in Atlanta, he served as Artistic Director to an adult community choir (Gwinnett Choral Guild) and a youth organization (Atlanta Institute for Musicianship and Singing), founding director of the Georgia Young Men’s Ensemble, a part of the
Grammy Award–winning Gwinnett Young Singers, and the Assistant Director for the professional chamber choir, Coro Vocati. His work in public schools garnered school- and county-level Teacher of the Year honors on three separate occasions by different organizations. Phillip enjoys biking, boxing, and all things related to sports and food. A proud member of the VoiceCare Network, Phillip believes every person can experience great joy through singing and passionately encourages exploration of body, mind, and voice through corporate singing experiences. Phillip lives in St. Louis Park, Minnesota with his wife, Michelle, and their three-year-old son, Malachi.
Mary Jo Gothmann Accompanist
Mary Jo Gothmann, pianist, enjoys a varied career as a chamber musician, soloist,
opera coach, and organist. She is the founder and artistic director of the JOYA chamber music series at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka. She has performed with the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota, Bakken Trio, Hill House Chamber Players, Music at Trinity, Colonial Chamber Music Series, Lakes Area Music Festival, JOYA, and the Taos Chamber Music Group. Mary Jo performs frequently with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra, and has appeared with EOS Orchestra in New York City and as piano soloist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the St. Paul Civic Orchestra. She has worked for some of the most prestigious opera companies in the United States, including the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and Minnesota Opera and has performed recitals with singers from the Metropolitan Opera as well as with instrumentalists from many of the country’s major symphony orchestras. Mary Jo is a graduate of the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Program, the University of Minnesota, New England Conservatory, and St. Olaf College.
AUDITION FOR THE VOCALESSENCE CHORUS & ENSEMBLE SINGERS 2017-2018 SEASON Please visit vocalessence.org/audition to schedule your audition online. 2016-2017 Season
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VOCALESSENCE ENSEMBLE SINGERS Minnesota is home to one of the truly international gems in choral music—the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers. This 32-voice professional chorus is a beloved national treasure that has been enjoyed by millions in Minnesota, around the country, and around the world. On their August 2014 Asia Pacific Tour, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers traveled to Seoul, South Korea, to perform at the 10th World Symposium on Choral Music, then continued on to Shanghai and Nanjing, China, for more concerts. The Ensemble Singers serve as the core of the larger VocalEssence Chorus, and returning members of the Ensemble Singers audition every year. The Ensemble Singers are renowned internationally, nationally, and locally. They were featured at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota and at the National Conference of the American Choral Directors Association in Dallas, Texas, where they received standing ovations for their performances of music by Mexican composers. They have been featured on A Prairie Home Companion, and performed the Midwest premiere of Jake Heggie’s choral opera, The Radio Hour. In March 2017, they will be featured at the ACDA National Convention here in Minneapolis. SOPRANO Sophie Amelkin Jennifer Bevington Anna Christofaro Anika Kildegaard Margaret Sabin Mari Scott Carolyn M. Steele JoAnna Swantek-Johnson
TENOR Charlie Baird Samuel Baker Anders Eckman Robert Graham Nicholas Mattsson William Pederson Kyle Schwartz Jacob Watson
ALTO Robin J. Helgen Marita Link Judith McClain Melander Anna George Meek Anna Mooy Sadie Nelson Erin Smith Peters Kristina Rodel Sorum
BASS Joshua Conroy Joseph Ellickson Harrison Hintzsche Erik Krohg Ryan LaBoy AJ Lund Nathan Petersen-Kindem Robert Smith** ** Board liaison
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VOCALESSENCE CHORUS
The VocalEssence Chorus is an exceptional group of talented, committed singers from many walks of life: doctors, lawyers, nurses, educators, homemakers, business people, and others. Most have college level or higher training in classical music and voice. Chorus auditions are held every spring, and returning members of the Chorus re-audition every two years. In March 2017, they will be featured at the ACDA National Convention here in Minneapolis. SOPRANO Amanda Allen AnnaLisa Anderson Libby Anderson Barbara Anderson Jessica Belt Ali Biatek Regan Debban Judy Drobeck Abigail Goerdt Kristina Guiffre Joy Knoppel Kartra Kohl Sarah Kurtz Joy MacArthur Hannah Miller Lisa Moncur Kateryna Nechay Sophia Pechaty Christina Pederson Shira Rabkin Leah Refuerzo Alexa Rosenbaum Cheryl Saunders Cassandra Schwartz Susan Scofield LeAnn Stein Karen Toebe Katie Tonn Amanda Troolin Jennifer Vickerman* Laura Walklet Dannika Wright ALTO Akosua Addo Jo Beld Rebecca Bellman Constance Chen Becky Gaunt Ruth Lauren Gaylord Rachel Gibbons Yvonne Grover*
Autumn Gurgel Beth Gusenius Marjorie Hakala Abbey Hanson Dee Hein Kristin Howlett Sally Jaffray Kirkja Janson Sydney Johnson Jenny Kisner Eva Klug Elise Larson Jeenee Lee Marta Lewis Anita McColley Rebecca Modert Kristi Mueller Sarah Olson Samantha Phillippe Brandee Polson Marty Raymond Alexis Rudenick Coral Sampson Teresa Schier Mary Schultz Marcelyn Smale Johanna Smith Sandra Swami Laura Tanner Sheri Turnquist Mishy Wang Cassandra Warn TENOR Steve Aggergaard** Andrew Alness Scott Berger Larry Brandts Benjamin Demaree Blake Downing Sam Fouts Flynn Franzen Jason Kaiser
Reagan Lee Michael Maiorana Andrew Mogendorff Nick Mroczek* Nathan Olson Jonathan Posthuma Spencer Rudolf Zef Tambornino Rabindra Tambyraja Barry J. Tikalsky BASS Robert Atendido Tim Graham Alex Halverson John Henrich Thomas Hollenhorst* Ward Jacobson Stephen Kemp Philip Lowry Walker MacSwain Ross Mumford Milo Oien-Rochat David Olson Jonathan Pinkerton Brian Ruhl Joseph Scheller Peter Scholtz Josue Silva David Thomas Skodje William Smale Connor Smith Chris Southard Trent Stenoien Patrick Stephen Matthew Terhaar David Toht Liam Vance * Section leader ** Board liaison
DONOR SPOTLIGHT Lois Quam Supports VocalEssence in Creating Harmony in Community and on Stage Lois Quam had been an occasional VocalEssence concertgoer, but after getting to know founder and artistic director Philip Brunelle in 2007, she found herself drawn deeper into the organization. “Philip’s enthusiasm is infectious. I turned to him for advice when I was hosting a series of concerts at my house, and he helped me put together some really creative evenings. I remember him sitting in my living room saying, ‘Let’s not just do the usual Beethoven.’ At one of my concerts, we sang a Lutheran hymn to its original tune, a German drinking song! Another time, we had a soprano interpret paintings by Minnesota artists,” said Quam, who shaped healthcare in Minnesota as a United Health executive, worked for Hillary Clinton at the White House and the State Department, and served as chief operating officer of the Nature Conservancy.
A lifelong “source of beauty”
“VocalEssence is so inspirational: music has a way to empower us, bring us together, and help us see new possibilities. In VocalEssence, I saw a way to make a community come alive. We need that now more than ever.”
“Called to a higher purpose”
Lois particularly treasures her experience at the 2013 VocalEssence WITNESS performance honoring pioneering African-American contralto Marian Anderson. “That concert was a really special event,” remembers Lois. “I grew up hearing my mother talk about attending a Marian Anderson concert in Minnesota in the ’40s, and what an uplifting experience that was for her as a girl. So of course, I had to take my parents. It was a beautiful evening, unique, and so moving. At one point Philip asked all the people who’d been lucky enough to hear Marian Anderson sing in person stand up, and my mom stood beaming.”
Although she herself isn’t a singer, Lois has both familial and artistic appreciation for the choral arts. “My mother was a singer in the St. Olaf College Choir, and growing up, we listened to both classical and choral music. I just loved it.” Having spent her own life uniting people to solve problems in a way that advances social good, she respects the unifying capacity of choral music. “I enjoy music as a way to bring a community together…. and to experience the feelings of deep beauty art creates within us as individuals.” It’s a value the Quam family has passed down for three generations—her son Will is musical and interned with Philip at VocalEssence. When asked about the VocalEssence endeavors she finds most inspiring, Lois points to the in-school residencies provided by programs like WITNESS and ¡Cantaré! “Bringing in composers and conductors to work with school choirs provides an amazing opportunity for students. This is work that changes lives, and I’m very enthusiastic to play a part in it.” In VocalEssence, Lois found an organization that supports both personal creativity and human unity. “This is a group that shows why choral music is special. It gives voice to a community and calls us to a higher purpose. It’s a Minnesota—and a national—treasure. And right now, when there’s so much disharmony in the world, we need the kind of harmony that VocalEssence brings.”
BACKSTAGE PASS EVENTS Want to hear more about VocalEssence programs or know someone who you’d like to introduce to us? Redeem a FREE Backstage Pass to hear more about our education programs and get an exclusive behind the scenes look at what we do. Register by contacting Elissa Weller (elissa@vocalessence.org or 612-547-1452). Events will be held in Spring 2017, or by appointment.
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DONORS THE ENDOWMENT HONOR ROLL VocalEssence salutes the individuals and corporate and private foundations whose generosity and leadership sparked the creation of the Endowment Fund. This permanent fund was established in 1987 and is now valued at $3 million. Its interest income provides ongoing support to VocalEssence. We welcome new contributions to the Endowment Fund and extend our deepest appreciation to the following for their generous gifts. Mrs. Fred C. Andersen* Athwin Foundation Carol A. Barnett Alice Baver* Ronald and Joyce Beauchane Warren and Donna Beck Judson Bemis Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Judy Blaseg and John Engelen Charlie Boone and Carol Heen William and Margee Bracken David Brink Lucile Brink Wayne and Marilyn* Brock Elise Brunelle and Jeremy Greeff Philip and Carolyn Brunelle Ann and David* Buran Norman R. Carpenter Cole Sewell Corporation Claire Colliander and Greg Steenson Colwell Industries Kip and Kathy Colwell Community Credit Company Dr. Susan and Dick Crockett Thomas Davies* Target Stores, Dayton’s and Mervyn’s by the Dayton Hudson Foundation Ernest and Mary Dorn Dan Dressen Katherine and Kent Eklund Exxon Corporation Jack and Cathy Farrell Robert B. Fering Gloria Freeman General Mills Foundation Robert* and Katherine Goodale Marion Goward Susan and Barry Graceman Shelley Greenwood Jane D. and James L.* Hall Margarette and Charles Hann Terrance* and Ruth* Hanold David and Mim Hanson Ann G. Harding Louise Heffelfinger* Lowell and Cay Shea Hellervik Jack and Linda Hoeschler HRK Foundation A.D. (Bill)* and Betty* Hulings Douglas and Mary Jones William* and Suzanne Joyce Arthur and Martha Kaemmer Katherine B. Andersen Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation
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Garrison Keillor James* and Jane Riley-Koll Daniel and Constance Kunin Libby Larsen and James Reece Helmer* and Christine Larson Laura Jane Musser Fund Mary Sue Lindsay* Jean and Kenneth Linwick Patricia Lund* Herb and Corrine Lundberg Thomas* and Patti* Maetzold The MAHADH Fund of HRK Foundation Marbrook Foundation Kay and Mike McCarthy Walt McCarthy and Clara Ueland Mancel* and Harriet* Mitchell Peter and Judy Mitchelson William and Julie Moyer Elizabeth Musser* Nash Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Glen* and Marilyn Carlson Nelson Alice Park Newman* Jeanne and Richard Patterson Donald* and Helen* Pellowe The Pine Wood Trust Harry Piper Foundation Jill and Richard Ragatz Burt Ross* Shelly Ross* Thomas and Lois Sando Michael and Shirley Santoro Sandra and Ivan* Schloff Richard and Kit Schmoker Ellen* and George J. Schulte John* and Marion Etzwiler Shepherd Star Tribune/Cowles Media Company Richard* and Vivian* Stuck Bill and Bryce* TenBroek Richard and Rosemary Thorsen Lynn and Carol Truesdell Jim Ulland Ruth and David Waterbury Doris A. Welty-Bury* Dorene and Alan Wernke Carl A. Weyerhaeuser Trust Frederick T. Weyerhaeuser Trust John Wheelihan E.M.* and Patricia* Whitacre Mrs. W. A. Wilson Bruce* and JoAnn* Winslow Karen and John Wolff
PHILIP BRUNELLE FOUNDER’S SOCIETY The Philip Brunelle Founder’s Society recognizes those who make a provision for VocalEssence in their will or estate plans. The society is names in honor of our visionary founder, Philip Brunelle, who every day inspires the community to open their ears to new music from diverse cultures. Philip and Carolyn Brunelle Ann Buran Jon Cranney Louise Heffelfinger* Nicolai Lewis Mike McCarthy
David and Linda Mona Sheridan O’Keefe Vern Sutton Jennifer Vickerman Mike and Donna Wolsted
CONTRIBUTOR’S CIRCLE VocalEssence gratefully acknowledges all those who made gifts between July 1, 2015 and January 17, 2017. Although we make every effort to ensure that our Honor Roll list is accurate and complete, we are capable of error. Please let us know if your name does not appear the way you prefer so we may correct it in the next program listing. Please call us at 612-547-1473 to make a correction. Thank you! ± Includes Matching Gift Contributions + Includes In-Kind Donations * In Remembrance
ENSEMBLE CLUB Gifts of $25,000 and more Best Buy Foundation Philip and Carolyn Brunelle The Carlson Family Foundation General Mills Foundation ± Louise Heffelfinger* Jerome Foundation Art and Martha Kaemmer Fund of HRK Foundation Katherine B. Andersen Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation MAHADH Fund of HRK Foundation Kay and Mike McCarthy The McKnight Foundation Medtronic Community Foundation ± Minnesota Monthly + Minnesota State Arts Board Judy and Peter Mitchelson Alfred P. & Ann M. Moore National Endowment for the Arts Target Corporation Thrivent Financial ± Virgil Thomson Foundation Ltd. Wenger Foundation Mike and Donna Wolsted Gifts of $10,000-$24,000 Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation Anna M. Heilmaier Foundation Warren and Donna Beck Productivity, Inc., Greg and Lisa Buck Jerome and Linda Carlson City of Saint Paul Cultural STAR Delta Air Lines, Inc. + Charles M. Denny, Jr. & Carol E. Denny* Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Ecumen Foundation Grotto Foundation
Hellervik Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation The Hognander Foundation Lucy R. Jones N. Judge* and Reatha Clark King Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Minnesota Historical Society Glen* and Marilyn Carlson Nelson matched by ExxonMobil Philip and Katherine Nason Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation Piper Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Piper Jaffray & Co. ± RBC Wealth Management Hervé and Jennifer Sarteau Sit Investment Associates Inc. Sons of Norway + Thomas and Arlene* Swain Thomson Reuters The Wallin Foundation Angus and Margaret Wurtele Xcel Energy ± Gifts of $5,000-$9,999 Dominick Argento Mary Ann Aufderheide Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation John and Sheila Bjorklund Consulado de Mexico en Saint Paul + John and Cathy Farrell Wayne and Meg Gisslen Goodale Family Foundation The Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation Hubert Joly The Mauriel Family Foundation Paul and Abigail Pribbenow Lois Quam Roseville Area Community Foundation Travelers Foundation Unisys + Alan and Dorene Wernke Gifts of $2,500-$4,999 Albrecht Family Foundation Baker Investments LLC + Ann Barkelew and Jim O’Hagan Will and Margee Bracken Jon and Susan Campbell Chorus America Dr. Susan and Dick Crockett matched by General Mills Charles and Kathryn Cunningham Family Foundation Event Lab, LLC + Adriana Alvarez Vlasek and Rick Ford Frey Foundation Charles and Margarette Hann Jack & Linda Hoeschler Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation The John and Ruth Huss Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation Ossie Brooks James Jerry Johnson and Larry Montan Julia Kaemmer Fund of HRK Foundation Barbara Koch Charlie and Anne Leck Ronald and Nicolai Lewis matched by Xcel Energy John and Nancy Lindahl Philip and Madeleine Lowry
Leland T. Lynch and Terry Saario Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Alvin and Mary Agnes McQuinn Minnesota Humanities Center David and Linda Mona Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation David E. and Judy L. Myers Myers Family Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation James and Sonja Odland matched by Thrivent Financial Ordway Center for the Performing Arts + Douglas and Mary Platt R C Lilly Foundation Tom and Mollie Raih Kathryn Roberts and Jim Hiniker Schmitt Music Company + Sue Shepard and Don Helgeson Stinson Leonard Street LLP ± Stocks Family Fund of the Catholic Community Foundation Mary and Greg Sumners Lynn and Carol Truesdell Twin Cities Opera Guild Jenny Wade Cody and Jacob Wolkowitz Gifts of $1,000-$2,499 Anonymous Quentin and Mary Anderson Arts Midwest Nancy Azzam Jim and Julie Bader matched by Ecolab Carole and Douglas Baker Jane Baxter Goeta Goetz Bird Judy Blaseg and John Engelen Penny Bond and Chuck Grimsrud David* and Ann Buran Thomas* and Nicky Carpenter Bruce and Ann Christensen John and Joan Colwell John and Kathryn Colwell Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Tom and Phyllis Colwell Jay and Page Cowles Jon Cranney and Katherine Ferrand Douglas and Julie Craven Betsy and Ed Cussler Betty Jayne Dahlberg Cy and Paula DeCosse Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation DEMDACO Dan Dressen and Elisabeth Comeaux Milt and Jana Edgren Glenace Edwall and Joe Peschek ExxonMobil Foundation ± David and Margene Fox Ann Gjelten David and Rosemary Good Susan and Barry Graceman Jane Dayton Hall David O. and Kristine Henderson Bill Hodder Jefferson Lines Inc. + Douglas and Mary Jones Joe and Cathy Kalkman Bert and Jane Kasiske Margaret V. and E. Robert* Kinney Knox Foundation Glenn and Kartra Kohl Jim and Michele Kolar Daniel and Constance Kunin
Don and Joann Leavenworth Diana Lewis Edward and Patricia Lindell Louis and Mary Kay Smith Family Foundation Judy Lund matched by General Mills Walt McCarthy and Clara Ueland Robert and Polly McCrea The Minneapolis Foundation ± Patty and David Murphy Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Betty Myers Nancy and Richard Nelson Susan Nicol Doug and Jean Parish Joan B. Parsons Richard and Jeanne Patterson Peravid Foundation Remele Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation John and Barbara Rice Laura and Mike Robinson Rochester Area Foundation Bill and Trinka Sharpe Gale Sharpe Don Shelby Robert and Elizabeth Shepley Phillip and Michelle Shoultz Ruth Spiegel and Brad McNaught Arturo Steely Frank Stubbs and Tom Lee matched by Blue Cross Blue Shield Joanne Von Blon Andy and Katrina Wallmeyer Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota David K. Whitney Gifts of $500-$999 Anonymous Aajo Design + Accredited Investors Wealth Management Steve Aggergaard and Lana Rosario Ameriprise Financial ± Anton E. Armstrong, D.M.A. Ronald and Joyce Beauchane Madeline Betsch Norlin and Carole Boyum Carol Brandenburg Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Traci V. Bransford Annabelle Bush Marty and Peggy Carlson Oscar and Valerie Carlson Carlson Companies Inc. Brad Clary Ted and Carol Cushmore Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Bill and Ruth Davini Steve and Judy Drobeck matched by Medtronic Ecolab Foundation ± The Gabriel Foundation, Byron Egeland Eide Bailly LLP Ralph and Debbie Estes Brian and Ann Farrell Barbara Forster Jack and Terry Forsythe The Frederic Chopin Society, Inc. Rick and Linda Glasgow David and Yvonne Grover Bill and Jan Hale
Winifred B. Hed Dee and Wilfried Hein matched by U.S. Bancorp H. Thomas and Mary Heller Dr. John and Sarah Henrich Tom and Christine Hermanson Walter and Judith Hinck Phil and Laura Holst Doug and Kerry Hoverson, Saint Thomas Academy matched by Ameriprise Financial Robert S. and Patricia A. Hoyt Bill Hueg* and Hella Mears Hueg Robert and Sigrid Johnson Kohl’s Chuck and Jill Koosmann Jim and Norma Leslie David and Carolyn Levitt The Links, Inc. Malcolm and Patricia McDonald Joyce & Richard McFarland Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Elizabeth Murray Nick Nash and Karen Lundholm Gerald E. and Andrea Nelson Lowell and Sonja Noteboom John Nuechterlein Glenn Olsen and Barbara Hager-Olsen Alan Onberg Dr. & Mrs. Ahmad Orandi Nicholas Peter matched by Pohlad Family Foundation Carol Ann Petersen Samantha Phillippe William and Barbara Read Gary and Pam Reierson The Richey Family Charitable Fund Brian D. and Barbara Ruhl The Saint Paul Foundation ± Robert L. Lee and Mary E. Schaffner Estelle Quinn Sell Fred and Gloria Sewell Craig and Mariana Shulstad matched by General Mills Sigma Pi Phi / Omicron Boule David and Ann Smith Brent Stahl and Ellen Engstrom LeAnn Stein and Jack Stamp Cherie Stofer Bill and Sara Stout Sunrise Banks Vern Sutton Missy Thompson and Gar Hargens John H. Sandbo* and D. Jean Thomson Emily Anne Staples Tuttle Fund of the Minnesota Community Foundation U.S. Bancorp Foundation ± Ben and Deb Vander Kooi Philip and Jane Wade Irving and Marjorie Weiser Elissa and Paul Weller Ellen Wells and George Wright Barbara C. White Kent and Missy Wilson Wilson and Gayle Graham Yates
CHORUS CLUB Gifts of $250-$499 Anonymous 3M Foundation ± Kristine and Tor Aasheim Meredith B. Alden* Steven Anderson and Barbara Randolph-Anderson Woodbury and Cynthia Andrews Nina Archabal Baillon Family Foundation, Inc. Michael Barone and Lise Schmidt Jo Beld and Tim Delmont Peter H. Berge Beth Bird Richard and Kris Bjorklund Blue Cross Blue Shield ± David and Cynthia Boden Judy Bond Monique Bourgeois Mary Bowman Cheryl Brown Dorene J. Bruns Steve and Karen Burger Russ Bursch and Lee Mauk John and Sonia Cairns Mary Lou Judd Carpenter Norman R. and Janet Carpenter Mark and Linda Casagrande David and Wendy Coggins Janet Colliton Katryn Conlin and Ben Manning Dominick and Nancy Driano Joseph and Lois West Duffy Dave Durenberger and Susan Foote Kent and Katherine Eklund Jerry and Kathleen Erickson Hope Esparolini Marion Etzwiler Caron & Floyd Farmer Gerald Foley Ryan and Jenny French Judith Garcia Galiana Paul and Mona Gerike Peter and Scotty Gillette Hazen and Kathy Graves Ken and Suanne Hallberg Tor and Sunny Hansen Peter and Anne Heegaard John and Robin Helgen Kenneth and Andrea Hjelm Thomas Hollenhorst Harry and Lila Jacob Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies ± Michael Knoll Eric and Becky Krieger Mark and Susan Larson J. Thomas and Helen Lockhart Sarah Lutman and Robert Rudolph Charles and Hertha Lutz Tadeusz Majewski and Burcin Ozel Hubert and Midge McCloy Eleanor Mears Kimberly D. Meisten Lisa Meyer and Sam Grabarski David and Karen Minge Michael and Rosanne Monten Jonathan and Martha Morgan Brian and Joanne Mullen Robert Muschewske and Leaetta Hough
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Jim and Merilu Narum Bruce and Diane Nimmer Laura and Pete Oberst Milo Oien-Rochat and Katharine Wood Michael and Kathleen O’Keefe matched by Medtronic John Orbison and Holly MacDonald Sandra Overland David and Valerie Pace Richard and Margaret Pfohl Tad and Cindy Piper Brad and Linda Quarderer matched by IBM Corporation Sharon Radman Marty and David Raymond Lisa Reed John Haugen and Alicia Reeves matched by Johnson & Johnson Ray and Ruth Rivard Bob and Barbara Ross David and Patricia Runkle Coral Sampson Randall Sayers and Martha Arneson Hal and Judy Schneebeck Paul and Camille Schroeder William and Marcelyn Smale Bryan and Jennie Smith Carol Christine Southward Glenda and Richard Struthers Susan Stuart and David Nelson* Richard* and Vivian* Stuck Timothy C. Takach and Jocelyn Hagen Judy Takkunen Rob Tambyraja Stephen Benson and Sonja Thompson James and Sharon Toscano Jim and Mary Ann VanHouten Jennifer Vickerman and Ramala Shelton Whitney Foundation Gary and Karen Wilkerson Gifts of $100-$249 Anonymous Mary Adair and Gerald Jorgenson matched by General Mills Akosua Addo Steven Albaugh and Brady Birk William* and Suzanne Ammerman Joyce L. Anderson Rolan and Muriel* Anderson Kay and Ron Bach Kevin Bailey and Ken Kieffer Warren Turner and Carla Bailey Dick and Debbie Bancroft Carol Barnett and John Tartaglia Mary K. Baumann and Will Hopkins Bruce W. and Paula M. Becker Carol and Jeff Belz Roy and Nadine Berg Scott Berger Yaroslav Billy Gary Surdel and Karen Bohn James Bohn and Linda Zelig Jane and Gene Borochoff Brian and Claudia Boysen Tim and Eileen Bradley Henry A. Bromelkamp Company Paul and Jane Brunelle Diana Carlson Camille Carteng Andy Christensen Judith A. Christensen David and Joan Ciminski
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Carolyn Clarke and Kevin Deegan Jack and Ann* Cole David Colwell Annette Conklin Henry and Stephanie Crosby Charles Crutchfield Carita Dahlberg Kay Dawson Ernest and Mary Dorn Anders Eckman matched by Ameriprise Financial Linda Eckman Richard and Carol Eick Ann Eilbracht Thompson Mark and Chelli Esser Jason and Jessica Etten Norma Jean Falink and Henry Smith John and Priscilla Folin Bruce Folken Gloria Freeman Roger and Michele Frisch Andrew and Ruth Gaylord Dr. Stanley M. & Luella G. Goldberg Robert J. Graham II Autumn Gurgel Mike and Jane Hagedorn Richard and Sandra Haines Jim and Elaine Halls James and Dorothy Halverson Abbey Hanson Andrew and Jenny Hardacre Dob and Janis Hardy Bill and Helen Hartfiel Lisa Svac Hawks Amy Hennessey Lee and Liz Hickerson Rachel Hickok Patricia Hill Norton* and Mary Hintz Arthur and Donna Hogenson Bill and Julie Howard Dr. Gordon and Nita Howell Jean Howell Karen A. and Charles W. Humphrey Penny Hunt David Hunter Mandy Inhofer Cotty Lowry and Laurie Jacobi Ward Jacobson and Stephanie Johnson Josie R. Johnson Lauren Johnson Lowell and Andrea Johnson Ted and Amy Johnson matched by Ameriprise Financial David and Dede Jorstad Heidi and Mike Jung Ken and Susan Kahn Mary H. Kaul Richard* and Connie Keller Karen and Clinton Kennedy Lloyd Kepple Jan and Tom Kilton Eva Klug T. Edward and Sharon Krumme Paul A. Laederach Margaret B. LaFleur Tom and Karen Laird Frederick Langendorf Richard Langer Laurel Lapore Libby Larsen and James Reece Jeenee Lee Diana J. Leland
Jon and Lisa Lewis Marta Lewis Lisa Lissimore and Dennis Blue Diana Lee Lucker Christine Lund Tom and Margie Lundberg Joy MacArthur and Sarah Cohn matched by Prudential Financial Ray and Elsie Martin Jeffrey Masco Jan Mattox Jack and Cindy Mayeron Mary Bigelow McMillan Helen Meyer Susan Moores Judy Morgan Nick Mroczek Kristi Mueller Fran and Patti* Neir Donald and Gerda Nightingale Daniel and Vicki Olson Nathan Olson Paul Olson and Mark Baumgartner Joseph and Clara Osowski Michael and Margaret O’Sullivan Victor and Dinorah Pechaty Bill Pederson Dan Pederson Nathan Petersen-Kindem Daniel and Nancy Peterson Paul* and Virginia Pfeiffer Josephine Phillippe Pohlad Family Foundation ± Brandee Polson Jackie Prince James and Susan Ramlet Lois Rand Sarah Renstrom and Jim Jaksa Jerome and Patricia Rice Carolyn Riley Keith Rodli and Katharine Grant Jack and Marilyn Rossmann Paul and Brittany Rudoi Terry and Mitzi Ryan Margaret and Matthew Sabin Kay and Peter Sammond Michael and Shirley Santoro Ann M. Sather and Jeffrey Stone Cheryl E. Roberts Saunders Peter Scholtz Ann Schrooten and Dawn Wieczorek Jeff Rabkin and Susan Scofield Jasmine Scott Ken and Katie Searl Mark and Mary Sigmond Ella Slade Robert C. Smith Susan Smoluchowski Patricia Starks-Faggétt Judy Orr Stinson Charles and Marilyn Stuck William H. Stump Marilyn J. Sundberg Ward Green and Sandra Swami Evelyn Swanson and Marjorie Ramgren JoAnna Swantek-Johnson Laura and Matt Tanner Kaye and Craig Thoeny James and Georgia Thompson Parker and Albert Trostel Roland and Xiomara Ugarte Ronald and Carol Vantine Helen Ver Hoeven
Elaine B. Walker Michael Walsh and Maureen Kucera-Walsh Clifton and Bettye Ware David and Ruth Waterbury Jim Waters and Jackie Henning John Westrom Ted and Nancy Weyerhaeuser Dr. Preston & Sharon Williams Craig and Linda Wilson John and Theresa Wise RADM & Mrs. Ray C. Witter Zabin Charitable Fund at the Boston Foundation Lewis and Nicki Zeidner Gifts up to $99 Anonymous Sue Adamek Martha Albrecht Amanda Allen Rodrigo Almeida Andrew Alness Richard Alness Amazon Smile Sophie Amelkin AnnaLisa Anderson Christian and Barbara Anderson Richard O. Anderson, MD Rex Andre Mark Gleason and Michelle Ansorge Linda Aronson Robert Atendido Valeska Bachauer William B. Baker Alison Balan Thomas Barber Karen Barstad Rebecca Bellman Jessica Belt Carline Bengtsson Linda Bergherr Jennifer Bevington Steve Blank James E. Bobb Kenneth Brinkman and Janice Allen Joel and Martha Brown Walter and Jennie Brown Christopher Brunelle and Serena Zabin Tim and Haley Brunelle Ginny Buran and Dwayne Cody Terry Burford Robert and Bridget Burke Brad Bystrom Robert Callahan Uri and Melissa Camarena Nancy and Michael Carr Claudia Carson Beth Cauwels and Tom Norton Barbara Chase Constance Chen Elaine Chirhart Larry Christiansen matched by The Saint Paul Foundation Anna Christofaro Lloyd Clausen Foster and Elaine Cole Marion Colliander Robyn Coquyt Thomas Crampton Susan G. Crawford Sean Crimmins
David and Sue Crockett Junette Dale Gerald and Frances Davis Ronald and Vonda D’Errico Annette Dickinson Dr. Stan and Darlene Diesch Elizabeth Dokken Geneva Dorsey Mary Theresa Downing Richard Duncan Donald Eddy Ed* and Judy Eilertsen Susan Eilertsen Joseph Ellickson Kevin and Kaia Ellis Novelli Jurado and Michelle Eng Karen Esbjornson Geneva S. Eschweiler Nancy Etzwiler Roger and Roxanne Ezell Frank Fallon Maryse Fan Chris Farrell Bruce Feld Myron Ferris Brendan Foote matched by Ameriprise Financial Roger Foster Rick and Katie Fournier Sam Fouts Sally French Brenda Furlow Becky Gaunt John and Nancy Geertz-Larson Pat and Heidi George Kathleen Gesley Rachel Gibbons Alison Gipp Ray and Marcia Giske Jane Ann Goltz and Robert Nash Google Inc. ± Alan and Stephanie Gordon Jerald Graetz Tim Graham Rebecca Groulx Kristina M. Guiffre Curt and Elizabeth Gumbrell James and Laurie Hacking Jack Haddorff and Jeanine DeGriselles Marjorie Hakala Alex Halverson Bonnie Halvorson Ann G. Harding Greg Harding Fannie Harrell Christina Harrison Michelle Hayes David and Susan Henry Harrison Hintzsche Sandra Hirsch Sandra K. Hirsh Sharon L. Hodge Mark and Ellie Hodkinson Michael Hollenhorst Theodore and Linda Holsten Susan Holt David and Meredith Homans Mike and Kristin Howlett Laura Hoyt and Bob Elhai Mary Hromatka Dr. Warren Huff Sally Jaffray Allison Jensen
Dean Jensen Joyce Jensen Gary Johnson and Joan Hershbell Hannah Johnson James P. Johnson JoAnn Johnson and Abby Brogden Sydney Johnson Lori Jonason Frederick Kaemmer and Kate Tilney Cindy Kalland Kenneth and Patricia Kangas Stephen Kemp Charles Kemper Jean Kennedy Marion Jones Kennon Noi Keothammakhoun John Kightlinger Anika Kildegaard Tim Killeen Bill and Jan Kimes Mary E. King Anthony L. Kiorpes and Farrel E. Rich Ted and Jenny Kisner Sandra Klapperich Anna Korinko Barbara Kramer Ben and Alanna Kucera John Kulstad and Elizabeth Mayotte Ryan LaBoy Marcia Lantto John and Laurie Larson Faith Latimer Reagan Lee Theodore and Kathryn Lee James Jenkins and Dolores Lenore Melanie Lien Marita and Brian Link Jan and Charlie Lloyd Linda Lorenz Allan and Jackie Lotsberg AJ Lund Vernon and Elaine Lund Sharon Lynn Julie Mack Suzanne Mahmoodi Gustavo Mancilla Sharon Marquardt Pete Mattson Pamela Raquel Mayorga Tellez Thomas and Barbara McClellan Brenda McGuire Anna George Meek and Matt Gladue Thomas and Judith McClain Melander Velia Melrose Carol J. Miller Hannah Miller Marion Dwyer Miller Laurie Misik Arlene Mitchell Carl and Luana Mitchell Rebecca and Keith Modert Mary Moe Christine Moench Bob and Mary Moncur Lisa Moncur Anna Mooy Kristine Mortensen Thomas Murray Katie Nelsen Nancy Norling DDS Ruth Ann Norrick Donald* and Beverly Norris Susan O. Nyhammer Sue Oliver
David Olson James and Judy Olson Sarah Olson Marri M. Oskam Mary Ann Palmer Katherine Panciera matched by Google, Inc. Warren and Patty Park Raymond and Judith Pascoe Joanne Pastel Wendy Paulsen Eric and Christina Pederson Robert Peskin and Tara Tieso Erin and Kevin Peters Jonathan Pinkerton and Julia Rice David and Susan Plimpton Jonathan Posthuma Julie and Leslie Prahl Prudential Financial Inc ± Wayne and Deanna Qualley John and Anne Quincy Siegfried and Ann Rabie Sheila R. Rafert Margaret Erickson Rambo Paul Ramsour Cherie Reiter Kathleen Richards Jane Riley-Koll John and Barbara Risken Kristina Rodel Lisa Roehl Laurel Rose Carol Rosenbaum Gary and Denise Rudolf Susan Runge Karen Ryss Mel and Irene Sahyun Karen Sandberg Thomas and Lois Sando Stephen and Sharli Schaitberger John Schatzlein Ed and Lois Schlampp Julie Schlueter Rachel Schmidt Sandra Schoenecker Raymond and Leola Schreurs Mary Schultz Mary Schwender Maria Schwingler Mari and Michael Scott Craig Seacotte Gary Seim and Lee Pfannmuller Anne Seltz Beth Shogren George and Betty Shoultz Janice Sigmund and Michael Jereczek Josue Silva Luke and Jennifer Slivinski Brett Smith Connor Smith Johanna Smith Katherine Sobieck Paul and Pat Solstad Nancy Spoden Carolyn J. Steele Jim and Sharon Stoebner Alan and Irene Suddard Annie Sundberg Dale Talley Bob Thacker Monica Thesing Daniel Thompson Dianne A. Thompson Joe and Amanda Timmer
Karen Toebe Katherine R. Tonn Amanda Troolin Eileen M. Troseth Andrea Turner Sheri Turnquist Liam Vance Marcy Vissell Jennifer Wallis Thomas and Dawn Wanous Daniel and Cassandra Warn James Leslie and Lynnanne Warren Sally Waterman Jacob Watson Charles Wegner Mary Sue Weir Joe and Jennifer Weismann Kenneth and Barbara Weldon Robert Wetzler Carole Whitney and Craig Carlson Rhea Wikstrom Dwight S. Williams Alex* and Marguerite P. Wilson Debra Winge Michael Winikoff Tesfa Wondemagegnehu and Michelle Bendett M. Wycoff Jee woong Yang Katie Yanike Cameron and Ellen Zebrun Reid Mortensen and Sue Zemlin Christian Zepeda Louise Ziegler Donna Zitur
SPECIAL TRIBUTES VocalEssence is honored by the many gifts received in remembrance, appreciation and celebration of friends and family. The following tributes were made between July 1, 2015 and January 17, 2017. If you wish to make a gift in tribute, please call 612-547-1473. In remembrance of Mrs. Millicent Lydia Addo Akosua Addo In remembrance of Meredith Alden Philip and Carolyn Brunelle In honor of Ella and Ruby Anderson Karen Barstad In remembrance of Muriel Anderson Mark and Susan Larson In honor of Mary Ann Aufderheide Bob Peskin In honor of Matrika and Joseph Bailey-Turner Warren Turner and Carla Bailey In honor of Ann Barkelew Dominick and Nancy Driano Ken and Susan Kahn In honor of Ann Barkelew’s 80th Birthday Dick and Debbie Bancroft Gary Surdel and Karen Bohn
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Ann Buran Douglas and Julie Craven Dominick and Nancy Driano Judy Eilertsen Susan Eilertsen Sally French Lisa Hawks Theodore and Linda Holsten Sue and Dave Lee Susan Moores S. Walter and Paula Richey Craig and Mariana Shulstad Susan Stuart Thomas Swain Bob Thacker Dianne Thompson Missy Thompson and Gar Hargens Michael Walsh and Maureen Kucera-Walsh
Irv and Marge Weiser
Nancy Norling Beverly Norris James and Judy Olson Sheila Rafert Gale Sharpe Vivian Stuck Judy Takkunen Jean Thomson and John Sandbo Tom and Dawn Wanous
In honor of Philip Brunelle’s Birthday John and Joan Colwell Dan Dressen and Beth Comeaux In remembrance of David Buran Ginny Buran and Dwayne Cody Ed and Betsy Cussler Hervé and Jennifer Sarteau Gale Sharpe Frank Stubbs and Tom Lee
In honor of Ann Barkelew and Jim O’Hagan Dominick and Nancy Driano In remembrance of Gerald M. Baumann and Catherine E. Baumann Mary K. Baumann and Will Hopkins In remembrance of Wolodymyr Billy Yaroslav Billy In remembrance of Ralph E. Black James Bobb In honor of Philip & Carolyn Brunelle’s 50th Wedding Anniversary John and Joan Colwell In honor of Philip Brunelle Alan and Stephanie Gordon Peter and Kay Sammond
In remembrance of Jim Colville Dave and Linda Mona
In remembrance of Ann Cole Mary Adair and Gerald Jorgenson Sue Adamek William Baker Ann Buran Mary Lou Judd Carpenter Foster and Elaine Cole Jack Cole John and Joan Colwell Alan and Stephanie Gordon Ken and Suanne Hallberg Tor and Sunny Hansen Ann Harding James Jenkins and Dolores Lenore Sandra Klapperich T. Edward and Sharon Krumme Paul Laederach Mark and Susan Larson Ron and Nikki Lewis Allan and Jackie Lotsberg Judy Lund Vernon and Elaine Lund Suzanne Mahmoodi Sharon Marquardt Jan Mattox Mary Moe Kristine Mortensen Jane Ann Goltz and Robert Nash Don and Gerda Nightingale
In remembrance of Cynthia Colwell Connie Keller Donna Zitur In honor of Marion Conlin and Bill Westmaas Katryn Conlin and Ben Manning In remembrance of Thurston H. Davini Bill and Ruth Davini In honor of Fr. Henry Doyle Kathleen Richards In honor of the 25th Anniversary for Dan Dressen and Beth Comeaux Philip and Carolyn Brunelle In honor of Mary Moore Easter Sue Shepard and Don Helgeson In remembrance of Leslie Egan Dannika Wright In remembrance of Dagny Hofslund Feil Roger and Michele Frisch
In remembrance of Gerald B. Fischer Cathie Fischer In honor of Marlene and Tom Frankson Anonymous In remembrance of Melvin Gay Gerald and Frances Davis In remembrance of Elsie H. Goetz Goeta Goetz Bird In remembrance of Lauretta Graetz Jerald Graetz In honor of Our granchildren: Charlotte, Josephine, Juliette, Miles, & Eleanor Ann Barkelew and Jim O’Hagan In honor of Rhianda Gregg Brian and Barbara Ruhl In remembrance of Joyce Gustafson Philip and Carolyn Brunelle Ann Buran John and Joan Colwell Susan Nicol In remembrance of Louise Heffelfinger Russ Bursch and Lee Mauk John and Robin Helgen In honor of David and Beverley Heggen John and Robin Helgen In honor of John R. Henrich Sarah Henrich In remembrance of Sue Doran Herber Doug and Mary Jones
MAKE A SPECIAL TRIBUTE!
Looking for the perfect birthday/holiday/memorial gift? Make a donation to VocalEssence in honor of your loved one. We will list your gift in our program book and send a special note to the honoree. Your gift will keep our community singing for years to come!
For more information, contact: info@vocalessence.org 612-547-1451
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2016-2017 Season
In honor of Benjamin L. Hooks Tesfa Wondemagegnehu In honor of Patricia Hoyt’s 80th Birthday Philip and Carolyn Brunelle Susan and Herb Nyhammer In honor of Grace Huenemann Richard and Carol Eick In remembrance of Martha Hughes Karen Ryss Deb Winge In remembrance of Thelma Hunter Philip and Carolyn Brunelle Ann Buran In honor of Sigrid Johnson AnnaLisa Anderson Glenn and Kartra Kohl Philip and Madeleine Lowry David Olson Brian and Barbara Ruhl Ann Schrooten and Dawn Wieczorek LeAnn Stein and Jack Stamp In remembrance of George Jonaitis Rachel Schmidt In honor of Vivian and Mary Jones Nancy Azzam In honor of Art and Martha Kaemmer Julia Kaemmer and Olivier Vrambout Bob Lee and Mary Schaffner In honor of Helen Klink Glenn and Kartra Kohl In honor of Joy Knoppel Anonymous In honor of Annaka and Emily Larson John and Laurie Larson In remembrance of Margaret Larson John and Joan Colwell In remembrance of Claire Leeds Cameron and Ellen Zebrun In remembrance of Ken Linwick Beverly Norris In remembrance of Audrey MacArthur Joy MacArthur and Sarah Cohn In remembrance of Mary and Doug Lauren Johnson In honor of Michael John Mauriel’s 50th John and Mary Anne Mauriel In honor of Mary Anne and John Mauriel Joyce Jensen In honor of Kimberly Meisten Paul Olson In honor of Craig Moen’s 75th Birthday John and Joan Colwell In honor of Judy Moen’s Birthday John and Joan Colwell In honor of Music, and what it brings to people’s lives Mary Bowman
In remembrance of Dr. Glen D. Nelson Ann Buran John and Joan Colwell Vivian Stuck In honor of Dr. Glen Nelson’s friendship with Philip Brunelle Marilyn Carlson Nelson In honor of Edna Mae Niss Abbey Hanson In remembrance of Samantha O’Hagan Lisa Hawks In remembrance of Miriam Lindeman Parsons Janet Colliton In remembrance of Stephen Paulus Michael Winikoff In honor of Marianne Protzner Pat and Heidi George In remembrance of Violet T. Ramsour Paul Ramsour In remembrance of Joyce Reed, Choral Director William and Barbara Read In remembrance of John Sandbo Philip and Carolyn Brunelle Ann Buran Mary Lou Judd Carpenter John and Joan Colwell Connie Keller In remembrance of Roy and Shirley Sather Ann Sather and Jeff Stone In remembrance of Ruth Saurwein Ruth Ann Norrick In remembrance of June Scofield Jeff Rabkin and Susan Scofield
In honor of Helen Jo Taliaferro Frey Foundation In honor of Jim and Colette Thesing Monica Thesing In remembrance of Barbara Tiede David and Ruth Waterbury In honor of Tommy, Ethan, Tyler and Benni Brian and Barbara Ruhl In honor of Ken and Diane Tonn Katie Tonn In remembrance of Delephene Troseth Eileen Troseth In honor of Sylvia Vaudt Ann Buran In honor of the VocalEssence Staff Kimberly Meisten In honor of Jennifer Wade Phil and Jane Wade In remembrance of Clifford Thomas Weir Mary Sue Weir In remembrance of Mary and Doug Wendler Lauren Johnson In honor of Dorene Wernke’s 60th birthday Mary Ann Aufderheide In remembrance of Carl W. White Barbara White In honor of Danielle Willis’s wedding Ray and Marcia Giske
In honor of William Seltz Anne E. Seltz
In honor of the Marriage of Tesfa Wondemagegnehu and Michelle Bendett Bob and Sig Johnson
In honor of G. Phillip Shoultz, III Brian and Claudia Boysen Jennifer Vickerman and Ramala Shelton
In honor of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Fannie Harrell
In remembrance of Debra Ann Sit Peter Berge Pete and Judy Mitchelson In honor of Gransons Quintin and Corbin Smidzik David and Ann Smith In honor of Henry Charles Smith Norma Jean Falink In honor of LeAnn M. Stein Jack Stamp In remembrance of Alta Stoebner Jim and Sharon Stoebner In remembrance of Vivian Stuck Woody and Cynthia Andrews Ann Buran John and Joan Colwell Ronald and Vonda D’Errico Ken and Suanne Hallberg Connie Keller Judy Lund Lisa Reed Bill and Sara Stout Charles and Marilyn Stuck Emily Anne Tuttle
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