Our Story
Many Messiahs centers the voices of creators who have historically been marginalized in classical music. We celebrate all forms of musical expression, modeling a new way to fill concert halls with the sounds and supporters that reflect our whole communities.
Composer Aaron Grad began developing Many Messiahs in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in 2020. In his role as Artistic Director, Aaron gathered together powerhouse musicians including hip-hop artist Darian Dauchan as Master of Ceremonies, the Grammy-nominated violinist Curtis Stewart as Music Director, and a cohort of songwriters and performers from across the US and beyond. The artists have written all-new songs that borrow source material from Handel's Messiah, drawing out the historic themes of activism and awakening to a better future.
With support from iNDIEFLIX, Many Messiahs released a mini-documentary in 2021, and the ensemble made its first public appearance at a benefit in Seattle in 2022. Meany Center for the Performing Arts and Early Music Seattle co-presented the official world premiere of Many Messiahs in 2023, and plans are in the works for new productions in 2024 and beyond.
Meet The Team
Vocals/Guitar & Compositions
Vocals and Compositions
Vocals and Compositions
Vocals/Guitar and Compositions
Artistic Director and Compositions
Vocals and Compositions
Bass and Compositions
Vocals
Drums and Percussion
Vocals/Trumpet and Compositions
Music Director and Violin
Vocals
Compositions
Vocals and Community Outreach
Vocals and Social Media
Many Masterpieces
The team behind Many Messiahs is mining the classical repertoire to create collaborative, transformational music that spreads hope and justice in concert halls and beyond. Stay tuned for more details about these and other upcoming projects.
One Mother
Featuring Taína Asili
Based on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Stabat Mater, this song cycle for voice, strings and percussion is an ode to Mother Earth and a plea for climate justice.
A Little More Love
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and other gems from Mozart fuel this hip-hop celebration of diversity and tolerance, featuring high-energy rhymes and live sampling and looping by M.C. Darian Dauchan.
Featuring Darian Dauchan
Maidensongs
Based on Death and the Maiden and other iconic songs by Schubert, this haunting collection for voice, guitar and strings gives voice to our unheard sisters, past and present.
Featuring Michiko Egger
Sacred Symphonies
Merging the sacred music of Gabrieli with ancient Sikh devotional texts, vocalist and trumpet player Sonny Singh joins a brass ensemble for a rousing, unifying exploration of faith and freedom.
Featuring Sonny Singh
Ode to Everything
Featuring the Many Masterpieces Collective
The entire team behind Many Messiahs reunites for a deep dive into Beethoven and a love-fest for all living things.