William Bolcom’s prodigious musical output gleefully defies convention, ranging from his own virtuosic skills as a pianist to his work as a composer of cabaret songs, concertos, sonatas, symphonies, and the Grammy Award-winning setting of Blake's Songs of Innocence and of Experience, which has been hailed as a masterpiece by critics around the world. VocalEssence and a host of partner organizations turned the spotlight on William Bolcom in the spring of 2007 in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Bolcom’s music was explored in a wide range of performances and master classes.

Songs of Innocence and of Experience, staged with projections designed by Wendall K. Harrington. An amazing concert!
Read the reviews

Check our media page for frequent updates to online radio, video and print stories about Illuminating Bolcom

VocalEssence, a choral organization based in Minneapolis, is the lead partner in Illuminating Bolcom. Among the many other artistic partners and venues involved in producing the two-week festival are Minnesota Chorale, Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Public Radio, The Schubert Club, The Fitzgerald Theater and Orchestra Hall. To order tickets for any of the events, please visit our tickets page.

For additional information about Illuminating Bolcom, and for press materials and assistance, please contact Katryn Conlin (kconlin@vocalessence.org, 612-547-1459).