VocalEssence has just returned from conducting some “choral diplomacy” in Mexico. The trip to Mexico City—from Aug. 26 to Sept. 3— was a historic one. For ten years, Philip Brunelle has been visiting Mexico to meet and audition composers willing to fly up to Minnesota multiple times during the school year for VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! , staying a total of four weeks, and teaching children in elementary, middle, and high school choirs how to sing and compose in traditional Mexican forms. Now Philip got a chance to share his experience of this incredible country with the choir—and share the choir with the passionate musical talents befriended through the years.
The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers had a magical time performing with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería for a three-night run. Besides singing Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, the two groups joined forces to bring to life music from both Mexican and American composers. They got a chance to step onstage at some world-class, prestigious venues— the Auditorio Blas Galindo of the Centro Nacional de las Artes, national landmark Palacio de Bellas Artes, and the Sala Nezahualcoyotl at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Watch their performance of the final movement of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
Some singers even broke out into song after climbing to the top of the pyramids between concert times—but that was strictly impromptu! Check out a video of the singing below.
Students and faculty at UNAM who share the VocalEssence passion for choral music gave the Ensemble Singers a warm reception, with several […]
This story is part of our ‘News from Around the Web’ publication, continue reading the story here: VocalEssence Mexico Tour is Transformational
