Vocalessence: Philip Brunelle, Conductor November 23, 2010

Founded in 1969 under the name Plymouth Music Series, VocalEssence is recognized internationally for innovative exploration of music for voices and instruments. Under the guidance of Philip Brunelle, the organization explores rarely heard and newly commissioned works that attract interest from around the world. In 2002 the Plymouth Music Series changed its name to VocalEssence, capturing the essence of its mission to explore music for the human voice, from spoken word to choral singing. The Minneapolis Star Tribune described the Ensemble Singers as producing a "luxuriant sound... performing with tonal purity and technical mastery." The Ensemble Singers are best known for their frequent guest appearances on the nationally broadcast public radio program 'A Prairie Home Companion.' The group has received the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers/Chorus America Award for adventurous programming of contemporary music an unprecedented five times it has been eligible, and it was awarded the once-in-an-organizational-lifetime Margaret Hillis Achievement Award for Choral Excellence.