The Dessoff Choirs, Inc.
The Dessoff Choirs, founded in 1924, is one of the leading choruses in New York City with an established reputation for pioneering performances of choral works from the Renaissance era through the 21st century.
The Ballad of the Brown King & Selected Songs
The Dessoff Choirs records "The Ballad of the Brown King" by Margaret Bonds with soloists, choir and new orchestration by M. Merriweather.
In December 2018, The Dessoff Choirs recorded The Ballad of the Brown King by Margaret Bonds with soloists, choir and a new orchestration by Malcolm J. Merriweather, Dessoff’s music director. It is our goal to release the recording in December 2019 and perform it with orchestra at our 2019 Welcome Yule concerts.
The Ballad of the Brown King is a holiday cantata with text by Langston Hughes. Dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr., this little-performed and never-recorded work focuses on Balthazar of the Three Kings. First performed in 1954, the piece combines elements of various black musical traditions, such as jazz, blues, calypso, and spirituals.
Media Highlights
RAM’s QUEENS NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL May 9-12
SECRET Theatre. 38-02 61st St. Woodside, NY 11377
Ensemble Decipher Networked Fundraising Concert
online
Dancing The Gods Festival Night One: Kasi Aysola and Archana Raja
Asia Society