The Dessoff Choirs has announced its official performance schedule for the upcoming 2026-2027 season, marking over a century of classical music production in the New York City region. Music Director Malcolm J. Merriweather enters his second decade leading the ensemble, continuing a organizational history focused on introducing new, forgotten, or rare choral arrangements to local audiences. The upcoming slate of performances includes a mix of historical pieces, holiday traditions, and multiple collaborative musical projects.
The new season initiates on November 1, 2026, with a presentation titled Symphony in Motion at St. Paul and St. Andrew Church in Manhattan. This performance addresses the national 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by featuring Gregg Smith’s A Continental Harmonist, a piece utilizing themes from early American composer William Billings. The production incorporates original choreography by Freddie Moore alongside the Footprints Dance Company, while the program also delivers a world premiere from composer Margaret Bonds and Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms.
Winter programming transitions to traditional seasonal music with two distinct performances held during December 2026. The annual Welcome Yule concert takes place on December 5 at The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew in Brooklyn. This is followed on December 10 by the Messiah Sing at Christ and Saint Stephen’s Church, an interactive event where the audience joins the choir for George Frideric Handel’s major choruses while singers from Dessoff and Brooklyn College deliver the featured solo arias.
The ensemble extends its historical American music theme into early 2027 with a specialized production scheduled for February 27 at Brooklyn College. Titled United in Song: A Celebration of American Music, the presentation centers on American musical theater and cabaret traditions. The production is a joint collaboration between Brooklyn College and The Dessoff Choirs and Orchestra, featuring joint participation from three local New York City high school vocal groups.
The 2026-2027 performance calendar concludes on May 1, 2027, with a grand finale presentation at Mother AME Zion Church in Manhattan. The final concert features a dedicated production of Ludwig van Beethoven’s classical composition, Missa Solemnis. Complete ticketing information, program updates, and digital links for each performance are maintained across the organization’s official online platform.
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