Yale Camerata, the ISM’s much-loved choir that spans the Yale and New Haven communities, will celebrate its fortieth anniversary in the 2025-2026 academic year with a series of special concerts (see “upcoming events” below). Founded in 1985 by Marguerite L. Brooks, the seventy-five voice ensemble comprises Yale graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, staff, and seasoned singers from the New Haven community and performs a wide spectrum of sacred choral literature, with a special commitment to choral music of our time. Yale Camerata has been directed by three conductors over its four decades—Marguerite L. Brooks (1985-2020), André J. Thomas (2020-2022), and Felicia Barber (2022-present).
From left to right: Marguerite L. Brooks, André J. Thomas, Felicia Barber.
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A Collaborative Chorus: The Yale Camerata, 1985–2024
Looking back, looking forward: Yale Camerata celebrates 40 years at Yale and in New Haven.
Upcoming Concerts
Yale Camerata life over the last four decades
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Yale Camerata in its first season, preparing for a concert with accompanist Tim Smith at Church of the Redeemer, fall 1985
Yale Camerata rehearses in Battell Chapel, circa 1990.
Yale Camerata rehearses Haydn’s Creation in Woolsey Hall, circa 1990.
Yale Camerata performs Haydn’s Creation in Woolsey Hall, circa 1990.
Camerata performs Haydn’s Creation in Woolsey Hall, circa 1990.
Camerata rehearses Handel’s Dixit Dominus in Battell Chapel with David Willcocks.
David Willcocks conducts Camerata in Handel’s Dixit Dominus, Battell Chapel.
Camerata rehearses Poulenc motets in Battell Chapel, 1990s.
Marguerite Brooks with conducting student Bradley Wells, circa 1997.
Camerata poses before a concert in Battell Chapel, circa 2000.
Chamber Chorus before concert in Battell Chapel, 2002.
Camerata and members of the New Haven Symphony perform Bach’s Mass in B Minor in Woolsey Hall, 2004.
Applause following Krzysztof Pendericki’s Credo with Camerata, Glee Club, Philharmonia, and Elm City Girls’ Choir, Woolsey Hall 2005.
Marguerite Brooks at chamber chorus warmup, Greenwich, Connecticut, November 2015.
First Camerata rehearsal of the season, in Marquand Chapel, September 2016. Photo credit: Laurie Ongley
Camerata members take a break from rehearsal weekend, Marquand Chapel, 2016. Photo credit: Tyler Gathro
Yale Camerata performs Herzogenberg’s Die Geburt Christi at its annual Advent concert in Battell Chapel, 2016. Photo credit: Robert Lisak
Marguerite L. Brooks smiles from the alto section while one of her conducting students leads Camerata, rehearsal weekend 2017. Photo credit: Robert Lisak
Camerata members pose outside the renovated Hendrie Hall, rehearsal weekend 2017. Photo credit: Robert Lisak
Camerata dress rehearsal for Advent concert in Battell Chapel, Rheinberger, Der Stern Bethlehem, 2018. Photo credit: Laurie Ongley
Camerata concert in Battell Chapel, October 2019. Photo credit: Robert Lisak
Yale Camerata rehearses for its annual Advent concert in Battell Chapel, 2019. Photo credit: Laurie Ongley
Dr. André J. Thomas in the Camerata’s Advent concert, performed on video, 2020.
Still from the Camerata’s virtual Advent concert, 2020.
Still from the Camerata’s virtual Advent concert, 2020. Video design credit: Camilla Tassi.
Still from the Camerata’s virtual Advent concert, 2020. Video design credit: Camilla Tassi
Harpist Violetta Maria Norrie and conductor Joe Lerangis prepare to record video for Camerata’s virtual Advent concert, 2020. Photo credit: Laurie Ongley
Video artist Camilla Tassi and percussionist Russell Fisher prepare to record video for Camerata’s virtual Advent concert, 2020. Photo credit: Laurie Ongley
Video artist Camilla Tassi records conductor Joe Lerangis and socially distanced strings for the Camerata’s virtual Advent concert, 2020. Photo credit: Laurie Ongley
Conductor André Thomas with Camerata in Woolsey Hall, Advent concert, December 2021.
Felicia Barber speaks to the audience in Woolsey Hall, October 2023. Photo credit: Harold Shapiro
Yale Camerata tenors performing in Woolsey Hall, October 2023. Photo credit: Harold Shapiro
Yale Camerata in Woolsey Hall, October 2023. Photo credit: Harold Shapiro
Felicia Barber and Camerata in semicircle, Woolsey Hall, October 2023. Photo credit: Harold Shapiro
Felicia Barber conducting in Woolsey Hall, October 2023. Photo credit: Harold Shapiro
Sopranos and altos performing in Woolsey Hall, October 2023. Photo credit: Harold Shapiro
Camerata members performing in Woolsey Hall, October 2023. Photo credit: Harold Shapiro
Yale Camerata concert with mezzo-soprano soloist Adriana Zabala, October 2023.