Philip appeared on KSTP-TV's Minnesota Live "5 Facts" segment Feb 1, 2024 to connect the dots between Aaron Copland, Keith Richards and The Rolling Stones, former...

On July 1, 2023 Philip celebrated his 80th birthday in the usual fashion, first by completing his 4-mile walk and then by heading down to Plymouth Church to...

We're back with fresh content: Episode 16 focuses on the subject of resilience. Episode 17 examines VocalEssence's 53rd season, including music by Gabriel...

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Philip has been sharing insights and music related to over 70 composers—one per day—each of whom has been featured and per...

During the 2018 season, VocalEssence is presenting four Welcome Christmas concerts in venues around the Twin Cities. In addition to performing the crème de la ...

In this podcast episode, Philip walks us through his methodology for preparing a Christmas music season — starting with his first at Plymouth Congregational Church i...

What an adventure! 50 years ago, Philip Brunelle had an idea—to launch a musical organization dedicated to expanding the choral arts. Since then, millions of people ...

Way back in the summer of 1969, Philip Brunelle, then 25, stepped into the role of Organist and Choirmaster at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. He was...

VocalEssence is in Mexico, collaborating with Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería and others in a wonderful mix of performances. Over three consecutive evenings, the E...

In mid-March 2018, Philip sat down with Pulitzer Prize winning music composer, and Minneapolis resident, Dominick Argento. Their conversation ranges across a...

In this episode, Melanie and Philip talk about the history of Protest Music in the world and especially in the U.S., the hallmarks of effective protest songs, and...

In back-to-back episodes, Philip talks about his 17 year tenure as Music Director at Center Opera — which later became Minnesota Opera. It’s a fascinating journey ak...

49 years into the VocalEssence adventure welcomes a typically diverse selection of performers and performances. As Philip often says, "Expect the unexpected!"...

On Sunday, October 16, 2016 Philip will celebrate the beginning of Vocal Essence's 48th Season. The inaugural event includes three generations of chorus...

(Image via A Prairie Home Companion, May 21, 2016) On Sunday, October 2, 2016 Philip will conduct the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London as they...

Episodes 02-04 focus specifically on choral direction and the job of being a choir director. Episode 02 begins with a brief review of Philip’s choral d...

On July 11, 2016 Philip will accompany Vern Sutton in a performance of Dominick Argento's "The Andrée Expedition" song cycle at the Gränna Museum and Polar C...

Big news! We have just launched "Renaissance Man - Philip Brunelle and Music," a podcast interview series that connects the dots across all kinds of music -...

On Wednesday, June 3, 2015 the Rolling Stones returned to Minnesota. The encore of the Stones' performance featured Philip and VocalEssence performing "You...

On Tuesday, September 2, 2014 Philip will kick off rehearsals for the 46th season of VocalEssence! More information about the 46th season here. (Photo...

Friday, August 29, 2014 (time TBD) Once again, Philip and VocalEssence will return to the Minnesota Public Radio building to help celebrate MPR Day at the...

Dates: August 14-19, 2014 | Shanghai and Nanjing, China Following VocalEssence's appearance at the 10th World Symposium on Choral Music in Seoul, Philip will...

Dates: August 1-13, 2014 Philip is Executive Director of the 10th meeting of the world's most prestigious choral conductors and choirs, presented by the...

July 21 - 25, 2014 As part of his duties with the International Federation for Choral Music, Philip is in the capital city of Bujumbura, Burundi to...

Concert date: July 5, 2014 - Macalaster College Way back in 1974, Philip was approached to perform on the very first broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion...

Concert date: June 9, 2014 at 8:00 pm - Carnegie Hall, NYC Philip will lead longtime collaborators Monroe Crossing and the Masterworks Festival Chorus in...

Concert dates: April 4-6, 2014 at Plymouth Church On November 1, 1959, a 16-year old Philip stepped into Park Avenue Covenant in Minneapolis and performed...

Concert dates: Friday, March 21, Sunday, March 23, 2014. Back in January, 2009, Philip and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers traveled to England, where they...

Concert dates: February 28, March 1-2, 2014 Look for Philip and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers in Ohio and Illinois at the end of February and beginning...

During a recent Board meeting of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) which took place in the Phillipines, Philip joined Theodor Lind (left),...

Concert date: Sunday, February 9, 2014 “A song can hold you up when there seems to be no ground beneath you.” - Melanie DeMore Philip is thrilled to col...

In 1993, Philip collaborated with film director Joe Pytka and ad agency Wieden+Kennedy to arrange, perform and record music for three Nike "opera" commercials....

In 1969, at age 24, Philip joined Minnesota Opera (previously Center Opera) as its Music Director. For the next 17 years he helped lead the organization in...

In 1969, Philip began his career as organist and choirmaster at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis — and in the same year, founded VocalEssence. To ...

In 1964, at age 19, Philip Brunelle was hired to play percussion for the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (now called the Minnesota Orchestra) under the baton of...