Tamara Brooks, 1978-1988 

Tamara Brooks, then director of the New School of Music, was appointed music director in 1978. During her tenure Mendelssohn Club appeared in a nationally broadcast performance of the Verdi Requiem with Ricardo Muti and The Philadelphia Orchestra as part of PBS’ Great Performances series. The chorus also presented the Philadelphia premiere of the full orchestral version of Britten’s War Requiem in 1985. Brooks and Mendelssohn Club enjoyed a close relationship with Philadelphia composer Vincent Persichetti, performing a number of his works including the Stabat Mater and the premieres of several of his unpublished Hymns and Responses. The chorus’s 1985 recording of his Winter Cantata was nominated for a Grammy award.