VocalEssence professional directors to present residency March 15

Luther College to host training and information sessions for music educators and conductors.VocalEssence conductor and artistic director Philip Brunelle and managing director MaryAnn Pulk will present a residency for music educators and conductors on Saturday, March 15 at Luther College.

The residency is open to conductors and directors of music ensembles at public and private schools, churches, community music and theater organizations, professional music organizations, and all other leaders of music ensembles and programs.  All other educators, students, managers and singers are also welcome.

There is no charge to participate in the residency, but registration is required. To obtain a registration form, visit web site http://programming.luther.edu/centerstage/VocalEssence, or contact the Luther College Music Department, telephone 563-387-1208.

The residency is in conjunction with the Luther College Center Stage Series performance by VocalEssence, a voice-and-instrument ensemble internationally recognized for daring and innovative exploration of music.

Brunelle and Pulk will teach residency sessions all residency sessions, scheduled 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Jenson-Noble Music Hall at Luther. Participants can make lunch reservations on the registration form to attend lunch with VocalEssence ensemble members.

The residency is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded in part by the National Endowment of the Arts American Masterpieces, with additional contributions from General Mills Foundation, Land O’Lakes Foundation and the Iowa Arts Council.

Residency schedule:

8:30 a.m. – registration in Jenson-Noble Music Hall

9 - 10:15 a.m. – Choral Management 101: Pulk will lead a session for choirs and choral program conductors who have responsibility for program development, marketing, fund raising and personnel management.

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Developing Choral Sound: Brunelle will lead a lecture/demonstration featuring VocalEssence, exploring the musical aspects of choir development and performance in a workshop that invites participant questions.

12:30 -1:30 p.m.  –  Lunch with VocalEssence, $15 per person.

1:30 - 3 p.m. – Reading Session: Brunelle will lead a discussion of the philosophy of literature selection and a reading session of music Brunelle chooses for the event; participants receive a free packet of sample pieces.