The Georgetown University Program in the Performing Arts was pleased to host 10-time GRAMMY winner Bobby McFerrin as the Fr. Royden B. Davis S.J. Visiting Professor during the fall semester of 2003. During intensive visits to the campus during September and November McFerrin sang, danced, explained, improvised, cajoled, taught and interacted with virtually all of our music ensembles and many dance and theatre groups as well. He conducted the orchestra, trained choirs, sang the blues, jammed with the jazz band and appeared in a variety of classes from poetry to physics.

This residency included a number of public events. There were a series of open public workshops, one on dance on September 29 and one for singers on September 30. There was a poetry workshop on November 20 which resulted in a Poetry Slam featuring Georgetown's Black Theatre Ensemble (directed by Professor Lisa Middleton) and students from Professor David Gewanter's poetry course on November 21. Also on Friday, Novemeber 21 in Gaston Hall there was an open concert/workshop by Georgetown a cappella groups featuring McFerrin as both coach and vocalist.

The residency ended with a spectacular concert in Georgetown's McDonough Gym featuring the Georgetown Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band, both directed by Professor Carl Bly, Georgetown's Concert Choir (directed by Professor Jeanne Kelly), Chamber Singers (directed by Professor Fred Binkholder) and assorted campus a cappella groups, the Georgetown Jazz Band (directed by Professor Dave Detwiler), Black Dance Movement Theatre (directed by Professor Alfreda Davis) and Georgetown Dance Company (directed by Professor Miya Hisaka), a special faculty and student collaboration and many surprises. Hosted by Caestecker Chair of Music Jose Bowen, this concert demonstrated the many talents of Bobby McFerrin and the fruits of a semester of collaboration.

• Click here to listen to Bobby McFerrin and GU a capella groups on WTOP Radio!

For further information contact Dorothy Biondi, Program in Performing Arts.