VocalEssence Moves Performance Location Due to Unresolved Labor Disputes of Minnesota Orchestra

VocalEssence announces today that it is moving the first concert of its 45th season, There Was a Child, to Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. The concert will still be held at its original time, on Sun., Oct. 27 at 4 p.m., and the 3 p.m. Concert Conversation with MPR's John Birge and composer Jonathan Dove will still take place before the performance.

"We're very excited to create a spectacular opening for the 45th Season of VocalEssence - with world and American premieres by internationally renowned composers," says Mary Ann Aufderheide, executive director, VocalEssence. "Jonathan Dove and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Aaron Jay Kernis will join us for the show - and it promises to be a fantastic program."

The concert originally was scheduled at Orchestra Hall. As part of this performance, VocalEssence has contracted with 50 instrumentalists of the Twin Cities Musicians' Union. The Union has forbidden its members to perform at Orchestra Hall as long as the labor disagreement between the Minnesota Orchestral Association and the Musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra continues.

"While VocalEssence has been delaying this venue change as long as possible with the hope there would be a settlement in this dispute, a decision had to be made," says Aufderheide. "We needed to give our patrons enough time to be aware of the venue change."

Central Lutheran Church is located at 333 S 12th St. in Minneapolis. Tickets will be automatically transferred to best seating options for ticketholders before the performance. Ticketholders with questions may call the box office at 612-371-5656 Monday through Friday 10 am to 2 pm and may visit vocalessence.org for more information.

VocalEssence is comprised of the 100-voice VocalEssence Chorus, the 32-voice professional Ensemble Singers, as well as guest soloists and instrumentalists, and offers audiences a broad series of concerts. Called "one of the irreplaceable music ensembles of our time" by Dana Gioia, past chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, VocalEssence was founded in 1969 by artistic director Philip Brunelle. VocalEssence has championed the vocal experience in unconventional ways through concerts, commissions, and community engagement, and has debuted more than 150 commissions and world premieres. Beyond performances and recordings, VocalEssence impacts thousands of students, singers, and composers each year through its initiative programs, contests, and support for innovative art. For more information, visit www.vocalessence.org.