VocalEssence celebrates 40th anniversary with tour of England

by Tom Crann, Minnesota Public Radio

The Minneapolis-based choir Vocalessence has gone abroad to celebrate their 40th anniversary. They've gone from one hotbed of choral music, Minnesota, to another, England.

Philip Brunelle has brought his choir over for a tour of England, including a stop in London for an "All-American" concert on inauguration day.

Classical Minnesota Public Radio's John Birge is in the UK traveling with Vocalessence. He's been sampling reaction from the English audiences to this Minnesota brand of singing.

Birge and Brunelle talked with MPR's Tom Crann about the differences between choirs in the UK and US.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 01/19/2009, 6:24 p.m.