Audio Archive

Brunelle, Philip

I look forward to returning to Holden Village - a place I first visited as a village musician in 1964 and most recently in 2009. I look forward to lecturing on hymns, playing for Vespers and organizing a choir, giving an organ recital as well as a piano recital, accompanying some silent movies and hopefully having a Beany Sing, (which only the old-timers will know about).

I am beginning my 42nd year as Organist-Choirmaster at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis and also as Music Director and Founder of VocalEssence, one of the biggest community choral programs in the USA. I am involved in a number of music causes: on the board of the International Federation of Choral Music, the board of Chorus America, and just completed 12 years as a Regent at St. Olaf College. I appeared on the first broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion and have remained in touch with Garrison Keillor ever since. My professional choir, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, appears on the show from time to time and I am his conductor when there are concerts with orchestra (upcoming: Seattle Symphony, Detroit Symphony, and New York Philharmonic).

Carolyn, my wife, will be joining me. She is a studio artist, paints beautiful pictures of vessels, and is represented by Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis. Carolyn works wonders with flowers and is glad to invite others to help her add some floral arrangements on the dining room tables. She is definitely the one that keeps our home peaceful and organized. We have three grown children and six grandchildren, who all wish they could be coming to Holden with us.

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