The award was presented at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., by David Manning, the British ambassador to the United States. It recognizes, Manning said, Brunelle's "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 added.
Brunelle founded VocalEssence in 1969; the same year, he became organist and choirmaster of Minneapolis's Plymouth Congregational Church, a position he still holds.