The Dessoff Choirs, one of New York City’s leading choruses, is an independent, non-profit organization, not affiliated with any religious or community group. Founded in 1924 by Margarete Dessoff, it has established a reputation for pioneering performances of choral works from the pre-Baroque era through the 21st century. The “s” in Choirs acknowledges the group’s various ensembles, ranging from the large Symphonic Choir that appears with major orchestras, to the smaller Chamber Choir heard during some programs.

In the mid-20th century, Dessoff’s reputation grew throughout the country thanks to a unique and distinguished collection of Renaissance pieces, then little-known, edited by music director Paul Boepple. Many of these pieces were released by the choir on LP. In 1999, Dessoff received the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming, for pieces including the world premiere of Paul Moravec’s “Songs of Love and War.” That piece may be heard on Dessoff’s CD Reflections, which also features works by Robert Convery, John Corigliano, and Ned Rorem.

Dessoff is active in New York’s musical life, presenting its own concerts under the baton of Music Director James Bagwell and in collaboration with ensembles ranging from the Kronos Quartet to the New York Philharmonic. In October, 2006, the Dessoff Symphonic Choir performed with Vladimir Ashkenazy and the NHK Symphony Orchestra of Tokyo at Carnegie Hall and at SUNY Purchase’s Performing Arts Center. That was Dessoff’s fourth program in four years with Maestro Ashkenazy. Other recent engagements have been with the American Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and with Tan Dun in his haunting Water Passion after Saint Matthew.

Dessoff has taken part in numerous New York, American, and world premieres, by composers such as Marshall Coid, Philip Glass, and Sir John Tavener. Dessoff has performed frequently at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival, with the Lincoln Center Festival, and at the Mostly Mozart Festival, including collaborations with the Mark Morris Dance Group and an appearance in the PBS “Live from Lincoln Center” Emmy-nominated telecast of Mozart’s Requiem. Other major orchestras with which Dessoff has performed include the Cleveland Orchestra, the London Philharmonia, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Philharmonia Baroque, and Opera Orchestra of New York.