Yale Camerata in its first season, preparing for a concert with accompanist Tim Smith at Church of the Redeemer, fall 1985
Yale Camerata celebrates its 40th anniversary at Yale and in New Haven
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. 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). Read more about the history of Yale Camerata in this article by Laurie Ongley, A Collaborative Chorus: The Yale Camerata, 1985–2025.
To celebrate the anniversary, there will be three concerts throughout 2025-2026. All performances will be held in Woolsey Hall at Yale University and are free and open to the public. All concerts will also be livestreamed. Please join us!
Sunday, October 12 at 4 p.m.Yale Camerata 40th Anniversary: Homecoming Alumni Concert
This special alumni concert will feature performances by Yale Camerata, an alumni chorus, and invited guests. Led by past and present Camerata conductors—Maggie Brooks, André Thomas, and Felicia Barber—the concert will include highlights from Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and works by Dove, Villette, Robles, and Howells. View details.
Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. Yale Camerata Advent Concert: A Celebration in Song
Yale Camerata’s annual Advent celebration, a beloved tradition, will highlight seasonal favorites and innovative arrangements that enhance the holiday spirit. View details.
Sunday, April 12 at 4 p.m.Yale Camerata Spring Concert: An American Songbook
Yale Camerata’s anniversary will conclude with a celebration of a variety of American music. View details.
February 25-28 ACDA Eastern Conference
Yale Camerata is honored to have been selected as one of twelve performing ensembles at the 2026 eastern division of the American Choral Directors Association’s (ACDA) conference to be held from February 25-28 in Providence, RI. The program will be entitled “American Songbook.”
View Yale Camerata’s 40th web page for more information about the choir and to read an article on its evolution over four decades. Any questions can be directed to Camerata’s manager Donald Youngberg.
Yale Camerata life over the last four decades
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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.