New Student Orientation Choir Participation
Sign up for NSO Convocation Performance
Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 10:00AM
Performance in the Convocation Choir has many benefits. Besides an important performance for the entire university community, it also provides an introduction to the music program at Georgetown, the ability to meet current students and the opportunity to move into your dorm before the rush of returning students.
Sign up here.
Signup Deadline- June 20, 2025.
Please find below the details about participating in the Convocation Choir:
Early Arrival:
Participants in the Convocation Choir are able to arrive early, on Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 and move into their assigned Campus Housing. Please check with the Residential Living Portal to make sure of this.
Meals:
Convocation Choir and members will have two free meals provided each day, Thursday August 21 and Friday August 22. Semester meal plans are expected to begin by Saturday August 23.
Rehearsal Schedule:
There will be no rehearsals on Wednesday the 20th, so you will have all day to move in and get acquainted with the campus. The rest of the week’s schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, August 20 Early Move-in Day
Thursday, August 21
*12:00 PM – Welcome Luncheon at the Davis Performing Arts Center hosted by Department of Performing Arts
- 2:00-4:00 PM – First ensemble rehearsal in McNeir Auditorium.
- 6:00-9:00 PM – Second ensemble rehearsal in McNeir Auditorium.
Friday, August 22
*10:00AM – Optional Tour to the Kennedy Center with Professor Binkholder. We will walk over from the front gates.
- 2:00-4:00 PM – Third ensemble rehearsal in McNeir Auditorium.
- 4:00-5:00 PM – Dress rehearsal with brass at White-Gravenor.
Saturday, August 23
- 8:30 AM CALL TIME FOR SINGERS
- 9:15-9:30 AM – Prelude
- 9:30-10:00 AM – Processional
- 10:00 AM – Start of Ceremony
Repertoire:
- Prelude will begin at 9:15 AM and you do not need to memorize this literature.
- Ceremony will begin at 10:00 AM and will feature the National Anthem, the Gregorian chant “Veni, Creator Spiritus”, Georgetown Alma Mater and the Shaker tune “Simple Gifts” – All four of these pieces must be memorized before your arrival. You will be provided with printed copies of this music when you arrive at the first rehearsal if you did not print it out beforehand.
Performance Attire:
Attire for the Convocation Choir is black pants with plain, white, long-sleeved dress shirt (no short-sleeves, no spaghetti straps, no patterns), Black shoes, black belt. Men are asked to wear a solid-colored tie (preferably a dark color). You only need to wear this performance attire on the day of the Convocation. The rest of the time, dress comfortably.
Locations:
McNeir Auditorium is located on the first floor of New North (west of the tunnel with stairs on the southwest side of the building. If you require special access (i.e.,wheelchair ramp, etc.), please let us know so that we can make those arrangements with you directly.
Music:
All music and practice material may be found here.
Questions? Email Fab7@georgetown.edu
Frederick Binkholder, Professor of the Practice, Director of Vocal Studies & Music Director of the NSO Convocation.
Letter from the Chair
The Department of Performing Arts at Georgetown University lives in the intersection of artistic practice and liberal arts education. Our department comprises four areas of study: Music, Theater and Performance Studies, Dance, and Public Speaking. While each has its disciplinary history, they share a common thread: the exploration of embodiment and performance. The Davis Performing Arts Center and McNeir Hall are at the heart of our department, hubs of creativity, community, and collaboration. These spaces serve as laboratories for our students and faculty, and as venues for the diverse performances by world-class artists we host throughout the academic year.
Our continued vision is to interweave the performing arts with Georgetown’s esteemed liberal arts tradition. We encourage our students to nurture unexpected connections between their artistic practices and other disciplines, from Government to Biology, Economics to Theology. This interdisciplinary approach prepares our students as artists and creative thinkers equipped to address complex global challenges.
We invite you to engage with our new initiatives this year. Attend a workshop or Friday colloquium, participate in a collaborative project, or experience a work-in-progress. Join us in supporting the arts and witnessing their capacity to create a more connected world.
Benjamin J. Harbert, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor of Music, Department of Performing Arts.
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