[1] The performance of new, unusual, or rarely heard works is a central facet of Dessoff's mission.
In 1951, the Dessoff Choirs performed with the New York Wind Ensemble at a special Peabody Mason Concert series commemorating the Bi-Millennial year in Paris.
Under his direction, Dessoff performed several large works not often heard, including Kurt Weill's Berliner Requiem, Paul Hindemith's Apparebit repentina dies, and William Bolcom's The Mask.
Dessoff's May 2009 concert, which included works by Charles Ives and his teacher Horatio Parker, was recorded live and released on CD and by mp3 download in December 2009.
[3] In May 2010, Christopher Shepard became the seventh music director of the Choirs, succeeded by Malcolm J. Merriweather in 2016.