Renaissance Man - Philip Brunelle and Music

Tim Brunelle
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This podcast is an ongoing interview series with noted conductor, organist, musical leader, educator and entrepreneur Philip Brunelle.

  1. 29 - Dan Dressen

    10/26/2024

    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 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.” 

 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) https://www.discogs.com/master/877906-BrittenPlymouth-Music-Series-Philip-Brunelle-Paul-Bunyan “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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WT0Vauj5L4&t=1s “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) https://www.discogs.com/release/15742159-Dominick-Argento-Christopher-ORileyEnsemble-Singers-Of-The-Plymouth-Music-Series-Of-Minnesota-Philip “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)

    1h 6m

  2. 06/03/2024

    28 - Engaging with Aging

    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.

    51 min
  3. 27 - the Philip Brunelle MBA

    05/24/2024

    27 - the Philip Brunelle MBA

    When we proposed this podcast 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" by performed by the Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis choir from the album Praise And Thanksgiving—Music And Spoken Word.

    1h 5m
  4. 26 - Thank You, Mary Ann

    11/24/2023

    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 its operational leadership. 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!

    49 min
  5. 25 - VocalEssence '23-'24 Season & 55 Years at Plymouth Church

    10/13/2023

    25 - VocalEssence '23-'24 Season & 55 Years at Plymouth Church

    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. 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 (link below). 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. NOTES VocalEssence's 55th Season https://www.vocalessence.org/event/subscribe-vocalessence-2023-2024-season/ Melanie DeMore Interview (episode 9) https://soundcloud.com/renaissanceman-352514445/09-protest-music-with-melanie-demore

    36 min
  6. 24 - Philip's 80th Birthday Spectacular

    06/30/2023

    24 - Philip's 80th Birthday Spectacular

    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. We discuss his favorite church organs around the world. That moment at the New York Philharmonic in June 1968 holding the score to Gunther Schuller's Concerto for Doublebass and Chamber Orchestra, while sitting between Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland. And the opportunities and challenges when shifting from performer to leader. We get Philip's perspective on the word "retirement," to wit, "I'm not going to." And his advice to signers, conductors, organizational leaders and audiences.

    52 min
  7. 23 - St Olaf ACDA Interview

    06/12/2023

    23 - St Olaf ACDA Interview

    23 - St Olaf ACDA Interview by Tim Brunelle

    53 min
  8. 22 - 2023 World Choral Symposium Recap

    05/02/2023

    22 - 2023 World Choral Symposium Recap

    This episode is a quick recap of Philip's journey to Istanbul for the 2023 World Choral Symposium. 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 Director's Association annual meeting at the end of this month, and Philip's plans for the summer. VocalEssence Concert https://www.vocalessence.org/event/singing-the-world-awake2/ World Choral Symposium https://wscmistanbul2023.com

    23 min
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This podcast is an ongoing interview series with noted conductor, organist, musical leader, educator and entrepreneur Philip Brunelle.

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