Choral Conductor Philip Brunelle Is Named Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire

Choral Conductor Philip Brunelle Is Named Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Minnesota-based choral organization VocalEssence and the British Consulate-General, Chicago, announce that Mr. Philip C. Brunelle has been recognized for his outstanding service to British music and culture by being named an Honorary Member of Order of the British Empire (MBE). British Ambassador Sir David Manning conferred the award in a private ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 5, 2005.

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry that was originally established in 1917 by King George V to recognize all levels of service to England during World War I. It has evolved to embrace service and achievement in all fields, including the arts, sciences, and public service. Most members are citizens of the United Kingdom or other Commonwealth realms ruled by the Queen. Citizens of other countries, including the United States, may be admitted as honorary members.

"The award of an Honorary MBE to Mr. Philip Brunelle is in recognition of his record of musical achievement; his promotion of musical links between Britain and the U.S.; and his introduction to the U.S. of some exceptional British music -- in particular the best of contemporary British choral music. Thanks to his hard work and dedication, VocalEssence has become an Ambassador for the United Kingdom within the music world," Manning noted in presenting the award.

"Brunelle has an extraordinary record of musical achievement," stated Andrew Seaton, British Consul-General, Chicago. "I am delighted that his many achievements have been officially recognized through the award of an Honorary MBE. It is enormously well deserved."

Born in 1943 in Faribault, Minnesota, Brunelle attended Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota. He distinguished himself at the age of 19 by becoming the youngest musician ever engaged by the Minnesota Orchestra; in 1969, at the age of 25, he became choirmaster and organist of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, a position he holds to this day. That same year he founded VocalEssence, a non-profit with a $1.7 million annual budget that is considered one of America's premier choral arts organizations.

Source: VocalEssence

CONTACT: VocalEssence Communications Director Katryn Conlin,
+1-612-547-1459 or kconlin@vocalessence.org

Web site: http://www.vocalessence.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For press photos of ceremony, http://www.vocalessence.org/news_and_media/news_downloads.php

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