{ Section 800: Musical Treats }

{ 800 } Autographed John Rutter Score
John Rutter’s “What Sweeter Music” is a perennial Christmas favorite. Now you can have your own copy of the score...autographed for our Gala by the composer himself! Beloved around the world for his choral compositions, John Rutter is the Founding Director of the Cambridge Singers and an honorary member of the VocalEssence Board of Directors. Donor(s): John Rutter Value: Priceless

{ 801 } Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus CD and Tickets
Enjoy two top-price tickets to the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus Pride Concert: “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing” on June 27th, 2008 at Ted Mann Concert Hall. Also included is their “25th Anniversary Collection” 2-disc CD set and a copy of “The Great Southern Sing-Out Tour” CD. Donor(s): Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus Value: $124

{ 802 } Cabaret Tickets for Two at Ordway
Life is a cabaret! How about two tickets to the award winning performance of Cabaret between May 2-18, 2008 at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts? Set in Berlin at the beginning of the Third Reich, the story follows the romance of an English cabaret performer and an American writer. [Not valid on Friday and Saturday evenings.] Donor(s): Ordway Center for the Performing Arts; David Rummel Value: $136

{ 803 } Four St. Olaf Christmas Festival Tickets
Lutefisk anyone? The St. Olaf Christmas Festival, a tradition started in 1912 by F. Melius Christiansen, is one of the toughest holiday tickets around, but you and three guests will get to go this year! Put on your Norwegian snowflake sweaters and head to “the Hill” for a Scandinavian smörgåsbord dinner; then be awed by The St. Olaf Orchestra and a 500 voice massed choir. [Must be used December 4-7, 2008.] Donor(s): St. Olaf College Value: $200

{ 804 } Chanticleer CD Collection
Based in San Francisco, Chanticleer has developed a remarkable reputation for its vivid interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music. With its seamless blend of twelve male voices, the Grammy winning ensemble has earned international renown as “an orchestra of voices.” Delve into their repertoire with five assorted CDs. Donor(s): Chanticleer Value: $75

{ 805 } Live Bluegrass Jam Session and CD Collection
Members of Long Time Gone Bluegrass Band will come to your special event to provide a bluegrass jam or performance. They can play acoustic around the campfire with you and your friends or perform with a professional sound system — you decide! Also, take home a bluegrass CD collection: Long Time Gone’s “Leavin’ Home,” two new Monroe Crossing CDs and a copy of the VocalEssence and Monroe Crossing CD “The World Beloved.” [Expires May 3, 2009. Travel limited to Metro area.] Donor(s): Ben Manning & Long Time Gone Value: $800

{ 806 } “Voices Raised” with Minnesota Orchestra
Enjoy a pair of Section 2 tickets to Minnesota Orchestra’s May 17, 2008 performance of “Voices Raised — Masterworks with the Minnesota Chorale.” No one else conducts the great choral-orchestral classics with the authority of Germany’s brilliant conductor, Helmuth Rilling, an honorary member of the VocalEssence Board of Directors. [Certificate must be redeemed at least one week in advance. Seating subject to availability.] Donor(s): The Minnesota Orchestral Association Value: $136

{ 807 } African Shekere
The shekere, a percussion instrument from Africa, is made from beads woven into a net covering a dried gourd. Throughout the continent it is called different things, such as the lilolo, axatse (Ghana), and chequere. It is predominantly called shekere in Nigeria. This hand crafted instrument may be used for percussion or simply displayed in your home. Donor(s): Cadene Burdick Value: $45

{ 808 } Composition by Libby Larsen
Are you looking for a unique piece of music for a special occasion in your life, such as a wedding or family celebration? Commission your own! Composer Libby Larsen will create a 3-minute composition for one voice and one instrument. You will be able to choose the instrument and text to make this a personal and unique experience. [The piece must be completed between June 15, 2008 and June 1, 2009. Winning bidder is responsible for booking musicians to perform the finished piece.] Donor(s): Libby Larsen Value: $3,000

{ 809 } Finale 2008 Music Notation Software
From inspiration to applause, music begins with Finale. Finale is the world’s bestselling music notation software, preferred by professional musicians, composers and educators. The software includes everything you need to compose, arrange, play and print your music. [Mac and Windows XP/Vista compatible. Mac G4, OS 10.4 or higher recommended.] Donor(s): MakeMusic, Inc. Value: $600

{ 810 } Voice Lessons from Sigrid Johnson
Philip Brunelle calls her “Ears Johnson” for a reason! VocalEssence Associate Conductor and St. Olaf College faculty member Sigrid Johnson offers three half-hour private voice lessons. Take advantage of the opportunity to enhance, polish and improve your voice. [Dates and times to be mutually agreed upon. Must take place by June 1, 2009.] Donor(s): Sigrid Johnson Value: $150

{ 811 } Tickets to Penumbra Theatre
Enjoy four tickets to an inspirational performance in Penumbra Theatre’s 2008-2009 season. Penumbra is the nation’s preeminent African American theater, producing “art for social change.” Its professional productions are artistically excellent, thought-provoking, and relevant, illuminating the human condition through the prism of the African American experience. [Advance reservations required. Expires May 3, 2009.] Donor(s): Penumbra Theatre Company Value: $146

{ 812 } High in the Sky Musical Soiree
Enjoy a wonderful Soiree for ten people at Park Towers, an incredible location with a fabulous view of downtown Saint Paul and the beautiful Mississippi River. You will be served delicious fare and wine and entertained by the talented jazz pianist Richard Jones, sopranos Linda Zelig and Amy Ault, and baritone James Bohn. [Date to be mutually agreed upon. Hours are 6-9 p.m. Expires May 3, 2009. Donor(s): Amy Ault; Richard Jones; Jim Bohn and Linda Zelig; Anonymous Value: Priceless

{ 813 } National Lutheran Choir Tickets and CDs
Tickets for four to the National Lutheran Choir’s Christmas Festival on Friday, December 12, 2008 at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. Also in this package are two of NLC’s recordings “Praise Parisienne,” French choral music with guest artist Martin Jean, and “Hymns We Love to Sing,” one of their bestselling recordings! [Tickets are for December 12, 2008; no exchanges.] Donor(s): National Lutheran Choir Value: $164

{ 814 } Original Song Lyrics
Do you need a song to celebrate (or roast!) a friend, commemorate a birthday or anniversary or make an event extra special? You pick the tune, give Jo Beld the background (the dirt, the dish, the gossip — whatever you want!) and she’ll write the lyrics. [Must make arrangements with lyricist at least three weeks before event.] Donor(s): Jo Michelle Beld Value: $50

{ 815 } Children’s Harp Lesson
Whitney Hanson, a member of the VocalEssence Chorus, invites you and your child (age 6-12) to her home for a 30-minute harp lesson on a Troubadour harp. Your child will be creating heavenly sounds by the time the lesson is done! [Parents are asked to attend the lesson.] Donor(s): Whitney Hanson Value: $20

{ 816 } InChoir Season Tickets
Stretch your vocal cords with a pair of season tickets for the Minnesota Chorale’s 2008-2009 InChoir series, where you get to sing side-by-side with members of the Chorale at a working rehearsal. Plus, you’ll enjoy the option to purchase discounted tickets to the final performances of featured works with the Minnesota Orchestra. Donor(s): Minnesota Chorale Value: $60

{ 817 } African Djembe Drum
This handmade Djembe Drum is a beautiful skin-covered drum meant to be played with bare hands. The djembe originated in West Africa, and is an integral part of the region’s musical tradition and culture. According to the Bamana people in Mali, the name of the djembe comes directly from the saying “Anke dje, anke be” which translates to “everyone gather together” and defines the drum’s purpose. Donor(s): Cadene Burdick Value: $119

{ 818 } Four Suite Tickets to Rush Concert
It’s a “suite” deal! After a hugely successful 2007 tour, the fans have spoken and want more. Rush will return to the Xcel Energy Center on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 7:30 pm. You will receive four executive suite passes along with free parking in the Kellogg Ramp located below the venue. Watch a classic rock concert in comfort! Donor(s): Cay Shea Hellervik; Personnel Decisions International Value: $384

{ 819 } Christmas in Christ Chapel Package
Celebrate Christmas in the Swedish tradition with four tickets to the 36th Annual Christmas in Christ Chapel worship celebration at Gustavus Adolphus College on December 5, 2008. First, relish the Christmas Dinner Buffet at 5 p.m., then experience the thrill of the season as 350 students, faculty, and staff bring the Christmas spirit to life through choral, orchestral, brass, handbell and organ music, dance, spoken word and prayer. [Available Friday, December 5, 2008 only.] Donor(s): Value: $120

{ 820 } William Bolcom Composition
William Bolcom — Grammy Award winner, Musical America Composer of the Year, Focus of the 2007 “Illuminating Bolcom” festival presented by VocalEssence and other Minnesota arts organizations—will compose a one-minute piano rag for you! Play it yourself, or give it to your favorite pianist to perform. A one-of-a-kind composition from the pen of this amazingly creative man. Donor(s): William Bolcom Value: Priceless

{ 821 } Entertainment with Vern Sutton and Philip Brunelle
Entertaining songs of the stage at your request — for a party, special occasion or the event of your choice. Philip Brunelle and Vern Sutton have been performing together for more decades than they’ll admit to, and with that kind of experience and rapport they can assemble 45 minutes of musical entertainment that will suit your situation and tastes. Always a hot item at benefits, bid this one NOW and HIGH! [Date and location to be mutually agreed upon.] Donor(s): Vern Sutton; Philip Brunelle Value: Priceless

{ 822 } Meet Maureen McGovern
Maureen is on tour across the country this year with a variety of shows: The Great American Songbook, Gershwin & Friends, Holiday Specials and also her new concert with companion CD, A Long and Winding Road, which features songs that have inspired her since the late ’60s — classic and evocative tunes from singer-songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Carole King, James Taylor, Jimmy Webb and Laura Nyro among others. The winning bidder will receive two tickets to one of her concerts in the next year, a backstage meet-and-greet with Maureen and a personally autographed copy of her new CD! Check out her itinerary at www.maureenmcgovern.com. [Mutually agreed upon date to be scheduled with tour manager. Travel expenses not included. Expires May 3, 2009.] Donor(s): Maureen McGovern Value: Priceless

{ 823 } Cary John Franklin Composition
Say it with music. Cary will compose a short work (3-4 minutes) to celebrate or acknowledge a special event. Possibilities include a solo work, duet, small group or choral piece! Previous winners have selected a personalized song for a wedding anniversary and a choral anthem for a birthday. [Winning bidder is responsible for booking musicians to perform the finished piece.] Donor(s): Cary John Franklin Value: $2,000