The Chorale
Founded in Detroit in 1972, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale has dedicated more than five decades to preserving, performing, and advancing the music of African American composers and the rich heritage of the Negro Spiritual. Established by renowned conductor and educator Dr. Brazeal W. Dennard, the Chorale is recognized as one of the nation’s oldest organizations of its kind.
Throughout its history, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale has been a leader in championing African American contributions to classical and choral music. The ensemble played a pivotal role in the creation of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Classical Roots tradition, beginning with the first concert in 1978. Its commitment to preserving African American musical heritage is also documented through four recordings devoted to spirituals and historically significant repertoire.
The Chorale has performed locally, nationally, and internationally, including appearances at conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, National Association of Negro Musicians, and National Conference for Music Education. In 2018, Chorus America honored the ensemble with the Brazeal Wayne Dennard Award for its commitment to advancing African American choral traditions and diverse choral music.
Today, under the artistic direction of Alice McAllister Tillman, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale continues its legacy through performance, commissions, recordings, and community engagement—preserving the music of the past while ensuring that the African American choral tradition remains vibrant for generations to come.
Our Founder
Dr. Brazeal W. Dennard
(1929-2010)
Dr. Brazeal W. Dennard was a distinguished conductor, educator, and champion of African American choral music whose work left an enduring impact on Detroit and the American choral tradition. In 1972, he founded the Brazeal Dennard Chorale with a mission to promote the music of African American composers and perpetuate the heritage of the Negro Spiritual.
A passionate advocate for the contributions of African Americans to classical music, Dr. Dennard was instrumental in establishing what became the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Classical Roots tradition. Working with DSO Resident Conductor Paul Freeman and community leaders, he helped organize and facilitate the first Classical Roots concert in 1978 at Detroit’s historic Bethel AME Church. The concert brought together the Brazeal Dennard Chorale and singers from Black churches throughout the Detroit area, creating a model that would influence similar programs across the country.
Through his leadership of the Chorale, Dr. Dennard helped preserve and elevate African American choral music through performances, recordings, research, and education. His vision established the Brazeal Dennard Chorale as one of the nation’s longstanding organizations dedicated to the performance and preservation of music by African American composers.
His legacy continues through the Chorale that bears his name and through generations of musicians, educators, and audiences inspired by his commitment to artistic excellence and the preservation of African American musical heritage.
Artistic Team
Alice McAllister Tillman
Artistic Director
Alice McAllister Tillman is an accomplished soprano, educator, and artistic director whose career spans concert, recital, operatic, spiritual, musical theater, jazz, and symphonic repertoire. She has appeared extensively throughout North America and has been praised for the beauty, versatility, and expressive quality of her voice.
Her performance career includes collaborations with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and appearances in major works by Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Rossini, Adolphus Hailstork, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, and others. In 2018, she was honored to perform Schubert’s Ave Maria at the funeral service of Aretha Franklin.
A longtime member of the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Tillman became Artistic Director in September 2015. During her debut season, she conducted the Chorale and Detroit Symphony Orchestra in Roland Carter’s Lift Every Voice and Sing. She continues the ensemble’s longstanding commitment to African American choral music, artistic excellence, and community engagement.
Tillman holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, as well as Michigan teacher certification, from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. An experienced educator, she has taught voice at levels ranging from kindergarten through postgraduate study.
She is also the creator and featured soloist of Once Upon a December Eve, a Detroit-area holiday tradition, and has appeared as a recording artist on several collections celebrating African American art songs and spirituals.
Michele Cotton Stanfield is a Detroit native, accomplished music educator, vocalist, pianist, and Assistant Conductor of the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, as well as Director of the Chorale’s Children’s Chorus. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and Education from the University of Michigan and a Master of Education from Wayne State University.
During her 34-year career in Detroit Public Schools, Stanfield has specialized in general and vocal music education, leading students in performances ranging from local arts events to Carnegie Hall. She has been affiliated with the Brazeal Dennard Chorale since 2000, first as a member of the Community Chorus and later as a member of the Chorale.
An active professional musician, Stanfield has performed with numerous vocal ensembles and has served as a pianist and church musician throughout the Detroit community. She is also a member of the Detroit Musicians Association, National Association of Negro Musicians, and Michigan Vocal Music Association.
Michele Cotton Stanfield
Assistant Director
Sadarra Fields
Accompanist