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VocalEssence is joined with an orchestra and jazz band for this program of stirring spirituals and rousing gospel melodies. "Flawless choral singing, presented with a genuine felling of compassion and warmth." - BBC Music Magazine
Part of The Witness Series of African-American music, sung by VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, directed by Philip Brunelle.
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William Grant Still's music for chorus, orchestra and organ brings the blues into the concert hall, ragtime to the ballet stage and the Old World into a new era.
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Thought-provoking and moving music by eight modern composers spans the range of expression from solo cello to chorus, from jazz ensemble to woodwind quintet.
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Vibrant music from the crossroads — South and North, African and American, church and street — characterizes the era between 1914 and 1930. Each of the composers here was a significant contributor to the Harlem Renaissance and by tune or text, these works document the coming jazz explosion. Many have never before been recorded.
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From Virgil Thomson's camp meeting setting of "The Holly and the Ivy" and Steve Barnett's swing verson of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" to Randall Davidson's homespun "Christ Was Born on Christmas Day" and Conrad Susa's magnificent Carols & Lullabies, commissioned from Susa specifically for VocalEssence, Maestro Brunelle has chosen carols-both familiar and unfamiliar---tied to one another by their inventiveness, charm and beauty in one of the year's most exciting new holiday discs.
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Minnesota composer Carol Barnett offers this unusual Mass setting in more-or-less classical style, orchestrated with Bluegrass instruments. The result is tailor-fit for VocalEssence a vocal ensemble which hasmade a reputation for first-rate performances of this type of crossover music. This CD also includes ten American choral masterpieces spanning the centuries, including Randall Thompson, William Billings, Libby Larsen, Stephen Paulus, Ned Rorem, Eric Whitacre and others
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As comforting as an old patchwork quilt, these beloved folksongs are presented in charming choral arrangements with guitar, harmonica, accordion, bass and piano by Philip Brunelle and the 32-voice VocalEssence Ensemble Singers.
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In 1998, VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum joined forces to offer an annual contest encouraging the composition of new carols. Over the years hundreds of worthy carols have been submitted. “Behold This Heavenly Night” presents the world premiere of some of these contest-winning carols alongside outstanding arrangements of more familiar melodies. Also included is the U.S. premiere of John Rutter’s new “Carol of the Magi” and a unique arrangement of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” translated into Latin by Philip Brunelle and his son Christopher.
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Storyteller Garrison Keillor and conductor Philip Brunelle lead a harmonious celebration of all things Thanksgiving with the melodious voices of the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers and their special guests, singer Jearlyn Steele and pianist Richard Dworsky. Along the way we learn that Thanksgiving really isn’t all about the turkey — it’s actually all about the pie...
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In 2011, the VocaEssence Ensemble Singer criss-crossed Minnesota via historic Highway 23 to share with the state's citizens the music of its choral composers, its singer-songwriters and the songs being sung by the people who have made Minnesota their home over the past 150 years. Enjoy the voices of VocalEssence as the explore the state's unique legacy of traditional, choral and popular song.
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On a chilly November evening, the Hopeful Gospel Quartet — Garrison Keillor, Mollie O’Brien and Robin & Linda Williams — traded musical moments with the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers in a concert at Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis. The evening seamlessly blended American folk traditions with choral masterpieces old and new, from “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” to “Now Thank We All Our God.” Garrison Keillor shared his Thanksgiving memories in a hilarious yet poignant monologue. Now available nationally for the first time—from The Gothic Catalog!
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Who knew a choir could be this funny? Garrison Keillor, Philip Brunelle and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers dish up a generous helping of "Potatoes a la Schubert", run away to Europe to indulge their “Shenandoah” habit, and enlighten us on the T.U.L.I.P. doctrine. This two-CD set of the best choral skits and bits from 10 years on "A Prairie Home Companion" includes the often-requested “Julia” (John Lennon) and a rare choral interpretation of “Karma Chamelon” (Boy George). With Charles Kemper and Richard Dworsky at the piano, The Guy's All-Star Shoe Band and guest appearances by Tom Keith and Tim Russell. Now available nationally for the first time—on Clarion Records from The Gothic
Catalog!
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A combination of the three Garrison Keillor/VocalEssence titles (5 CDs total)! "Over the River and Through the Woods", "Hymn to Potatoes" and "Gratitude, Gravy and Garrison"
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