https://renaissancemanpodcast.com RenaissanceMan Sat, 26 Oct 2024 03:55:29 +0000 https://renaissancemanpodcast.com en http://renaissancemanpodcast.com/Episode-29-Dan-Dressen Sat, 26 Oct 2024 03:55:29 +0000 RenaissanceMan 454647 &lt; HOME Episode 29 - Dan Dressen <img width="3544" height="2658" width_o="3544" height_o="2658" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/30c3c8794981e60f80ce8618ed13e196712e5e284ce42ebd17fb22797b66b9d1/PhilipBrunelle-DanDressen-Oct2024-02.jpg" data-mid="1382454" border="0" />Dan Dressen’s is typically the first voice you hear on the Renaissance Man podcast. His tenor opens the excerpt of “Quartet Of Swedes” from Benjamin Britten’s opera Paul Bunyan, recorded on Virgin Classics, conducted by Philip Brunelle. In this episode, the two long-time collaborators discuss why, as Dan puts it, “choirs are the perfect example of the whole being greater than the sum of their parts.” renaissanceman · 29 - Dan Dressen After reviewing Dan’s history leading to their first collaboration, the two discuss the business of choral rehearsing, the science and art of “choral blend,” why pronunciation matters most, the fortunate end of the maestro era, the benefits and challenges of listening, and why, “singing is such a psychological game.” We end with a synopsis of friendship. Given over 40 years of personal and professional relations, Dan and Philip share a few lessons in how two people come to understand, respect and build a lasting connection. We recorded this in the Parlor of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, where you’ll notice the old grandfather clock chiming in every 15 minutes and the occasional group moving through neighboring Guild Hall. This episode features the following musical recordings, all conducted and produced by Philip Brunelle: “Dear Friends, With Your Leave” composed by Benjamin Britten; from the opera Paul Bunyan — featuring tenor soloist Dan Dressen with The Plymouth Music Series (1988) Discogs link “The King of Love My Shepard Is” composed by Edward C. Bairstow and performed by the Plymouth Congregational Church Choir at the 11am Service October 20, 2024 Youtube link “There Was A Naughty Boy” composed by Dominick Argento; from A Nation of Cowslips — performed by the Ensemble Singers Of The Plymouth Music Series Of Minnesota (1998) Discogs link “What Cheer, Good Cheer” composed by Peter Warlock; from Praise And Thanksgiving: Music And Spoken Word — featuring tenor soloist Dan Dressen with the Plymouth Congregational Church Choir (2006) <img width="3440" height="2580" width_o="3440" height_o="2580" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/f6a2675da3f8fed1f548a7b11a8ad27e2307f29ca60a877a9017d21732fa8d30/PhilipBrunelle-DanDressen-Oct2024-01.jpg" data-mid="1382453" border="0" /> <img width="3268" height="2451" width_o="3268" height_o="2451" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/b717574f854d7b4b9a50babd972a21cb28a9fc3b973daf3068faa5d42e7a663b/PhilipBrunelle-DanDressen-Oct2024-03.jpg" data-mid="1382455" border="0" /> &lt; HOME Episode 29 - Dan Dressen Dan Dressen’s is typically the first voice you hear on the Renaissance Man podcast. His tenor opens the excerpt of “Quartet... http://renaissancemanpodcast.com/Episode-28-Engaging-with-Aging Mon, 03 Jun 2024 13:08:46 +0000 RenaissanceMan 453220 &lt; HOME Episode 28 - Engaging with Aging <img width="1657" height="1657" width_o="1657" height_o="1657" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/768721f5599ba72e6d81c02d2dd8db1ba4f1e45235e7dfd0043c8c80cc9a91f7/PhilipBrunelle.png" data-mid="1366289" border="0" data-scale="50"/> This episode features Philip speaking with Plymouth Church’s “Engaging with Aging” group about his childhood and early career, his relationship with his mother, and the importance of gratitude, providence and curiosity in establishing a remarkable career and life. renaissanceman · 28 - Engaging with Aging Later in the episode, Philip reveals a lesson learned from the composer Benjamin Britten about expressing gratitude. The letter Philip mentions is seen below, along with a phptp of its place amidst a stairway of related signed scores.<img width="5808" height="4536" width_o="5808" height_o="4536" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/a41222c03779551163bdb98d2fcd5ae05718598d7e0043b8afc258f9162bf530/BenjaminBritten-Letter-1964-CarolynOlsen.jpg" data-mid="1366293" border="0" /> <img width="2227" height="2892" width_o="2227" height_o="2892" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/2030e85130239feba306e59525910af4242c59e5d98f7d4d375df163e560e217/Brunelle-Stairway.jpg" data-mid="1366294" border="0" /> &lt; HOME Episode 28 - Engaging with Aging This episode features Philip speaking with Plymouth Church’s “Engaging with Aging” group about his childhood and... http://renaissancemanpodcast.com/Episode-27-The-Philip-Brunelle-MBA Fri, 24 May 2024 21:25:32 +0000 RenaissanceMan 453101 &lt; HOME Episode 27 - The PB MBA <img width="4886" height="4886" width_o="4886" height_o="4886" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/9e2dab2e208c50709fd37e6515c4c416373ec10ad54681242d6f8c879dff6a61/PhilipBrunelle-May2024.jpg" data-mid="1365351" border="0" data-scale="35"/>How do you found, much less sustain a non-profit arts organization for 55+ years? This episode attempts to answer that question.&nbsp; renaissanceman · 27 - the Philip Brunelle MBA When we proposed this episode to define a theoretical “MBA of Philip Brunelle,” his response was, “good luck.” Turns out there’s plenty to reveal. And it all starts with that most important trait/skill/characteristic: Curiosity. “It must be your north star,” Philip replies. We began at the beginning: 55 years ago Philip founded an arts organization. We discuss where the name VocalEssence came from. And we talk about what constitutes his approach—as a startup going from zero to “n.” Philip details a deliberate mindset, a vision which informed how VocalEssence (at the time called the Plymouth Music Series) operated. We discuss consistent Philip’s approach to managing, hiring, budgets, rehearsing and board relations. Then we talked about the importance of truly understanding your audience. As Philip puts it, VocalEssence’s audience is, “always willing to hear new things, provided they are produced top notch. They know they will be challenged (by the repertoire) but they also know the performance will be world class.” Finally, we dive into Philip’s reaction to a non-profit fundraising challenge articulated by the author and educator Seth Godin. This episode ends with “The Earth Adorned”&nbsp; performed by the Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis choir from the album Praise And Thanksgiving—Music And Spoken Word. &lt; HOME Episode 27 - The PB MBA How do you found, much less sustain a non-profit arts organization for 55+ years? This episode attempts to answer that... http://renaissancemanpodcast.com/Episode-26-Thank-You-Mary-Ann Fri, 24 Nov 2023 21:32:25 +0000 RenaissanceMan 450041 &lt; HOME Episode 26 - Thank You, Mary Ann! <img width="4860" height="4860" width_o="4860" height_o="4860" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/b5b81d43d479549e989aed4f04e315dfb80b6358ad92cadd496a57a15b7b19c6/PhilipBrunelle-MaryAnnAufderheide-Nov2023.JPG" data-mid="1332367" border="0" data-scale="65"/> Here’s an episode for anyone curious about how a 55+ year old choral arts organization continues to thrive through its operational leadership. renaissanceman · 26 - Thank You, Mary Ann This Thanksgiving weekend we’re turning our gratitude to VocalEssence Executive Director Mary Ann Aufderheide to celebrate her 20+ years helping lead the organization. So much to uncover in this episode, including her journey to VE, decades of lessons learned, insights around arts leadership, the evolution of arts management, and the challenges and joys of evolving a leadership role alongside an organization co-founder. Philip, Tim and Mary Ann discuss the balance of executive versus artistic leadership, the evolving role of an arts org board, and Mary Ann’s highlights over the past 20 years. Thanks for your remarkable era of leadership, Mary Ann! &lt; HOME Episode 26 - Thank You, Mary Ann! Here’s an episode for anyone curious about how a 55+ year old choral arts organization continues to thrive through... http://renaissancemanpodcast.com/Episode-25-VE-2023-24-Season Fri, 13 Oct 2023 22:59:30 +0000 RenaissanceMan 449044 &lt; HOME Episode 25 - VocalEssence and Plymouth Church’s 55th Seasons&nbsp; <img width="4800" height="3600" width_o="4800" height_o="3600" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/1a41e3de3ea50bb0ac5ca3a8849cf61a59b84447c569824b0d90427169f0b1e6/PhilipBrunelle-Sept2023-copy.jpg" data-mid="1322921" border="0" />Philip loves jokes and puns. So let’s start there as a prelude to describing the 55th seasons at both VocalEssence and Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. Turns out various choir members have given Philip books of jokes and riddles, along with many other trinkets over the decades so we discussed that tradition. Click the “X” on the upper right corner of this player 👇🏽 to reveal the player controls. Then click the red circle to play.&nbsp; renaissanceman · 25 - VocalEssence '23-'24 Season &amp; 55 Years at Plymouth Church Then we worked through the many highlights of VocalEssence’s 55th season, noting numerous new choral commissions, various collaborations, the challenge of selecting just 90 minutes of “favorites” from 55 years of curating and commissioning, and the return (in March) of Melanie DeMore—listen to Philip’s interview with Melanie from episode 09 here. The second half of this episode focuses on the diverse repertoire selected for Plymouth from September to June, again highlighting lots of new commissions. The episode ends with a 2010 VocalEssence recording of the American folks song “Oh Dear! What Can the Matter Be” arranged by Norman Luboff. &lt; HOME Episode 25 - VocalEssence and Plymouth Church’s 55th Seasons&nbsp; Philip loves jokes and puns. So let’s start there as a prelude to describing the... http://renaissancemanpodcast.com/Episode-24-80th-Birthday Wed, 28 Jun 2023 21:49:44 +0000 RenaissanceMan 444995 &lt; HOME Episode 24 - 80th Birthday&nbsp; <img width="3024" height="3024" width_o="3024" height_o="3024" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/6b94a254d87ca591b0f0217405c95d5c1e7a6e9e9d974886050418e84182d891/PhilipBrunelle-Trust-the-Organist.png" data-mid="1297710" border="0" data-scale="50"/>We’re each a product of our times and experiences. In this episode Philip retraces some historic moments to uncover insights across 80 years of choral direction, church music and artistic leadership. Click the red circle to start listening.&nbsp; renaissanceman · 24 - Philip's 80th Birthday Spectacular We discuss mentors, seminal musical experiences and his favorite church organs around the world. We uncover that dress rehearsal with Gary Karr at the New York Philharmonic in June 1968 with Philip holding the score to Gunther Schuller’s Concerto for Doublebass and Chamber Orchestra, sitting between Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland. We focus on how to manage the shift from “micro” performance challenges to “macro” leadership opportunities. We get Philip’s perspective on the word “retirement”—to wit, “I’m not going to.” And we talk about why his favorite word is “curiosity.” &lt; HOME Episode 24 - 80th Birthday&nbsp; We’re each a product of our times and experiences. In this episode Philip retraces some historic moments to uncover... http://renaissancemanpodcast.com/Episode-23-ACDA-St-Olaf-Interview Mon, 12 Jun 2023 05:42:50 +0000 RenaissanceMan 444213 &lt; HOME Episode 23 - ACDA St. Olaf College Interview In May 2023 Philip made a guest appearance at an event hosted by the Minnesota chapter of the American Choral Directors Association at St. Olaf College, to speak with students interested in choral directing and choral music composition. renaissanceman · 23 - St Olaf ACDA Interview The host and interviewer is Therees Hibbard, director of the Manitou Singers and the St. Olaf Chamber Singers. Episode 23 is their conversation, which covers a wide range of topics — several of which we’ve discussed here on Renaissance Man before; especially when Philip dives into his early career with the Minnesota Orchestra (1964-1969), and a particular sojourn with George Schick to the Metropolitan Opera, in the summer of 1969. But, if you’ve ever wanted to ask Philip what qualities he likes in a singer, or how he’d suggest becoming a successful professional conductor, stick around. And you’ll be pleasantly surprised by his response to the question: “What’s one thing you wish you had known before starting a career in music?” It’s a fascinating conversation with lots of useful insights for those curious about choirs, choral direction and commissioning music for choir. <img width="2459" height="1383" width_o="2459" height_o="1383" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/827c2a7eba0842975da201d0153c128bd1be73c0ceda3a42ca93e3aac4bd2614/PhilipBrunelle-May2023-StOlafCollege-ACDA_01.png" data-mid="1294065" border="0" data-scale="58"/> &lt; HOME Episode 23 - ACDA St. Olaf College Interview In May 2023 Philip made a guest appearance at an event hosted by the Minnesota chapter of the American Choral... http://renaissancemanpodcast.com/Episode-22-World-Choral-Symposium-2023 Tue, 02 May 2023 21:01:35 +0000 RenaissanceMan 442164 &lt; HOME Episode 22 - 2023 World Choral Symposium Recap This episode is a quick recap of Philip’s journey to Istanbul for the 2023 World Choral Symposium. renaissanceman · 22 - 2023 World Choral Symposium Recap We talk about his previous trip to Istanbul 60 years prior, and the range of insights uncovered during this year’s event, and his visit to the historic Blue Mosque. We also preview the final concert of VocalEssence’s 54th season featuring Moira Smiley, the American Choral Directors Association annual meeting at the end of this month, and Philip’s plans for the summer. <img width="761" height="761" width_o="761" height_o="761" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/0c14d0edb2b00965ec6ce792f5d02893b88a514841eeeddf8e4036100026a77b/PhilipBrunelle-Istanbul-Blue-Mosque-2023.jpeg" data-mid="1283837" border="0" /> Philip at the historic Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, April 2023.&nbsp; &lt; HOME Episode 22 - 2023 World Choral Symposium Recap This episode is a quick recap of Philip’s journey to Istanbul for the 2023 World Choral Symposium. ... http://renaissancemanpodcast.com/Episode-21-Pragmatic-Choral-Direction Thu, 20 Apr 2023 02:52:20 +0000 RenaissanceMan 441549 &lt; HOME Episode 21 - Pragmatic Choral Direction “Singing is a tricky business!” notes Philip, before he flies East to attend the 2023 World Choral Symposium in Istanbul. “It’s the only musical experience where you can't see your instrument.” renaissanceman · 21 - Pragmatic Choral Direction In episode 21 we sat down to talk about the business of being a choir director. “It begins with observing the product, the choir in action,” says Philip. He learned by being a choir member first, then watching how others, including Robert Shaw and Charles Munsch, directed. Philip’s first full-time choir director position came with also being the organist at Holy Trinity Lutheran in Minneapolis at age 20. (He had joined the Minnesota Orchestra the year prior.) Philip moved to become Organist and Choir Director at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis at age 25, where he has remained since. “Choirs need three things,” says Philip. “The first is rhythm. That’s the most important skill. Then you learn notes. And then words. That’s it!” Philip also talks about the business of “singing as one,” which is not about blend—rather, about achieving a unified sound. He also reveals various habits, process and techniques for helping balance choirs, build confidence among singers, and increase their flexibility. “50% of what a choir does is vocal. 50% is listening,” says Philip. As a director, you are always coaching ways to actively listen, so a choir hears where and how each part fits in the picture. This episode features excerpts from two VocalEssence recordings. The first is from “Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise)” by Felix Mendelssohn (1840). The second is “A Ukrainian Prayer” by John Rutter. &lt; HOME Episode 21 - Pragmatic Choral Direction “Singing is a tricky business!” notes Philip, before he flies East to attend the 2023 World Choral Symposium... http://renaissancemanpodcast.com/Episode-20-The-State-of-Choral-Music-Circa-2023 Sun, 12 Feb 2023 17:33:35 +0000 RenaissanceMan 438119 &lt; HOME Episode 20 - The State of Choral Music Around the World, Circa 2023 To begin the 2023 season of this podcast we journey around the globe to gain an understanding of choirs, audiences, repetoire and innovation in choral music.&nbsp; renaissanceman · Renaissance Man - Ep 20 <img width="3452" height="1942" width_o="3452" height_o="1942" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/df7817d4430c93ff3ae3940198982a1dc83137456b560e17f18a1e45ba2f6445/PhilipBrunelle-Feb2023.png" data-mid="1264488" border="0" /> Philip surveyed his network to gain perspective from choral leaders including: Simon Halsey, Chorus Director – City of Birmingham (England) Symphony ChorusJorge Cordoba, radio program: Horizontes de Nuestra Música (Mexico)Reijo Kekkonen, publisher of Finnish choral music - Sulasol&nbsp;Jonathan Velasco, Senior Lecturer, University of Philippines College of Music&nbsp;Virginia Bono, Founder and Artistic Director, Estudio Coral Meridies (Argentina)&nbsp;Yoshi Egawa, Deputy Secretary-General, Japan Choral AssociationBoth choirs and audiences are coming back, but slowly, worldwide. Within Philip’s network, he’s estimating audiences returning to roughly 60-75% of pre-Covid levels, as of early 2023. Interestingly, in both Finland and especially the U.S. there’s been a shift in ticket purchasing—from season tickets and per event tickets sold months in advance to much shorter purchasing windows. The average is now just a few weeks, and often day-of purchasing, which is impacting the ability for choral organizations to plan financing of choral programs effectively.&nbsp; Choirs are also curious about and embracing more diverse sources of repetoire. In Mexico there’s a resurgence in interest in pre-Hispanic sounds and instruments. &nbsp;&nbsp; And in a nod to the value of continuous innovation, Philip encourages young choral musicians to, “Be curious—See what’s out there, and what’s out there may not be brand new...it may be somthing that was written 100 years ago.”And to conclude, Philip’s assessment of the state of choral music globally is: It is thriving, growing and embracing a wider range of music, in great part because, “Everyone needs music in their life for their own soul and for their own well being.”&nbsp; &nbsp;*** We closed out this episode with a snippet of Felix Mendelssohn’sLobgesang (Hymn of Praise), performed by the&nbsp;VocalEssence Chorus &amp; Ensemble Singers featuring Nicholas Chalmers, tenor, JoAnna Johnson, soprano, Elsa Buck, soprano II, and orchestra conducted by Artistic Director &amp; Founder Philip Brunelle—recorded&nbsp;at Benson Great Hall, Bethel University in Arden Hills, MN on Saturday, October 15, 2022. &lt; HOME Episode 20 - The State of Choral Music Around the World, Circa 2023 To begin the 2023 season of this podcast we journey around the globe to gain an...