Schedule

Oct
8
Sat
In Memoriam: Gregg Smith (1931-2016) @ Saint Peter's Church
Oct 8 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
In Memoriam: Gregg Smith (1931-2016) @ Saint Peter's Church | New York | New York | United States

Gregg Smith, the renowned composer and conductor passed away on July 12, 2016. Smith, a winner of three Grammy Awards, directed the Gregg Smith Singers for more than fifty years with international recognition and acclaim. He worked very closely with Igor Stravinsky and is closely associated with recording and performing the music of Heinrich Schütz, Giovanni Gabrieli, and Charles Ives.

Gregg Smith was a prolific composer himself but championed the works of dozens of contemporary composers throughout his career. The memorial service will feature former members of the Gregg Smith Singers, Long Island Symphonic Choral Association (LISCA), and the Choir of Saint Peter’s Church.

Dennis Keene, organist and conductor

Balint Karosi, organist

Thomas Schmidt, conductor and pianist

Nov
7
Mon
We Remember @ Alice Tully Hall
Nov 7 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
We Remember @ Alice Tully Hall | New York | New York | United States

The 20162017 season opens with Mozart’s Requiem at Alice Tully Hall with The Dessoff Orchestra. Entitled “We Remember,” this concert will feature Steven Stucky’s Take Him, Earth, honoring President John F. Kennedy, and the premiere of an orchestrated version of David Hurd’s homage to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., In Honor of Martin.

Nov
8
Tue
Music of Passing, Love and War @ Studio 312, Roosevelt Extension, Brooklyn College
Nov 8 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Music of Passing, Love and War @ Studio 312, Roosevelt Extension, Brooklyn College | New York | United States

The Conservatory Singers will present a concert of contrasting repertoire that illustrates love, war, and passing as interpreted through poetry and music. Music by Isaac, Bach, Barber, Bernstein, Pachelbel, and featuring Janequin’s La Guerre.

Lawrence Cummings, piano

Alex Lavoie and Gloria Bangiola, graduate assistants

Malcolm J. Merriweather, conductor

Nov
15
Tue
Rautavaara’s Vigilia @ Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Nov 15 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Rautavaara's Vigilia @ Cathedral of St. John the Divine | New York | New York | United States

This transcendent and unique setting of the Finnish Orthodox service was premiered at the Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki in 1971, yet it has never been performed in its complete concert version of both Matins and Vespers in the United States. We are proud to collaborate the with the Erkko Foundation in presenting the U.S. premiere of this stunning work for a cappella choir and soloists in memory of Einojuhani Rautavaara.

Halley Gilbert, soprano
Sara Murphy, mezzo-soprano
Marc Day, tenor
Malcolm Merriweather, baritone
Matt Boehler, bass

Kent Tritle, conductor

Nov
30
Wed
Handel’s Messiah @ Whitman Theatre
Nov 30 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Handel's Messiah @ Whitman Theatre | New York | United States

The Conservatory Choral Union and Conservatory Singers present Part I of Handel’s oratorio Messiah with orchestra, and soloists from the Conservatory of Music.

Jan
14
Sat
Freedom Concert, Reading Choral Society
Jan 14 @ 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Freedom Concert, Reading Choral Society

The Reading Choral Society presents freedom songs, spirituals and other inspirational songs in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Malcolm J. Merriweather, guest conductor

Mar
26
Sun
French F​ête @ Saint Jean Baptiste Church
Mar 26 @ 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
French F​ête @ Saint Jean Baptiste Church | New York | New York | United States

Our winter concert is a party celebrating French composers in the twentieth century. At “French Fête,” the audience will be transported to France through dramatic yet impressionistic choral works by Jean Langlais, Lili Boulanger, Reynaldo Hahn, Marcel Dupré, and Claude Debussy. Dr. Raymond Nagem, Associate Organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, will accompany the choir from the console of the Wicks organ at St. Jean Baptiste. Stevie Ryan will play solo piano works by Ravel and Debussy.

Apr
1
Sat
Bach, Buxtehude, and Barber @ James Chapel, Union Theological Seminary
Apr 1 @ 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm
Bach, Buxtehude, and Barber @ James Chapel, Union Theological Seminary | New York | New York | United States

The Dessoff Choirs Chamber Chorus present Bach’s Jesu Meine Freude, BWV 227, Buxtehude’s Herzlich, lieb hab ich dic o Herr. The choir will be accompanied by a chamber ensemble of instruments. Merriweather will perform Samuel Barber’s Dover Beach with string quartet.

The Dessoff Choirs Chamber Chorus

Malcolm J. Merriweather, baritone and conductor

Apr
3
Mon
Voice and Choir Invitational at Brooklyn College @ Whitman Theatre
Apr 3 all-day
Voice and Choir Invitational at Brooklyn College @ Whitman Theatre | New York | United States

High School choirs from around New York State join the Choral Studies Department and the Voice Department for a day of choral adjudacation, masterclasses, and performances.

Conservatory Singers, Choral Union

Richard Barret, Voice Department Chair

Malcolm J. Merriweather, Director of Choral Studies

May
14
Sun
A New Amorous World @ Fort Tryon Park
May 14 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
A New Amorous World @ Fort Tryon Park | New York | New York | United States

Join the Dessoff Choirs in concert with Fort Tryon as a backdrop. The natural beauty of the park is the perfect backdrop for a concert that features music from around the world. The choir will sing choral music that originates in China, Haiti, and the Middle East.

Malcolm J. Merriweather, conductor