Classical music spotlight: 'Choral Heaven'

The Chorus America national conference is being held in Minneapolis, and for the opening concert, VocalEssence artistic director Philip Brunelle sets out to prove that the Twin Cities area is the nation's capital for choral music. VocalEssence will be joined by eight other ensembles: Minnesota Chorale, Cantus, the Singers, Magnum Chorum, One Voice Mixed Chorus, National Lutheran Choir, Choral Arts Ensemble and Minnesota Youth Choir Consortium. The program will feature local composers, including Libby Larsen and Dale Warland, and will end with massed voices performing a world premiere by Stephen Paulus. The next evening VocalEssence will revive one of its most memorable commissions, Carol Barnett's "The World Beloved: Bluegrass Mass," accompanied by Monroe Crossing. (8 p.m. Wed., Orchestra Hall, 11th St. and Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $10-$40; 8 p.m. Thu., Central Lutheran Church, 333 S. 12th St., Mpls., $20. 612-371-5656, or www.vocalessence.org.)