 His father, an Evangelical United Brethren minister, died when he was 13.While still in his teens, Brunelle worked as a professional church organist, and at the age of 19 he became a full-time member of the Minnesota Orchestra as a pianist and percussionist.At the age of 25, Brunelle was appointed choirmaster of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, a position which he has held since 1969 and which led to the founding of VocalEssence (originally called the Plymouth Music Series).