The Department of Performing Arts’ spirit of collaboration manifests in numerous interdisciplinary projects every year, professional partnerships in music and theater, and collaborations across faculty and students.
PostClassical Ensemble
The PostClassical Ensemble (PCE), a Washington, DC-based chamber orchestra, is proudly designated as the ensemble-in-residence at Georgetown University. Under the leadership of Music Director Angel Gil-Ordóñez, PCE comprises some of the region’s finest musicians and is celebrated for its creative programming that integrates classical music with historical and cultural narratives. Georgetown University music students enjoy many enriching experiences through PCE, including orchestral and chamber music coaching, masterclasses, and workshops with visiting artists and composers. The ensemble’s involvement in multidisciplinary projects—cultural studies, history, film, theater, and dance—enriches academic connections across university departments and directly introduces students to professional orchestral practices.
PCE’s residency at Georgetown offers multiple engagement opportunities for students, such as free access to rehearsals and performances, particularly at the prestigious Kennedy Center. Additionally, students can participate in educational outreach through PCE’s partnerships with local schools or apply for administrative fellowships in areas like education, production, development, and marketing within the ensemble. These positions offer practical experience in the orchestral field and contribute to PCE’s community and educational initiatives. Frequent performances, such as those in Georgetown’s Friday Music Concert Series, ensure that PCE remains a vibrant presence on campus, continually contributing to the university’s cultural landscape and providing invaluable professional exposure for students.
Upcoming Events: Celebrating 200 Years of US-Brazil Relations
On Campus
Professor Bryan Mc Cann (Chair, Department of History) will dedicate the Fall to the course HIST 1099: Rio de Janeiro
October 17 – Lectures by Author Tom Farias
Tom Farias is a native of Rio de Janeiro with a degree in Literature, specializing in 19th-century Afro-Brazilian literature and Social Communication. He is a writer, journalist, literary critic, essayist, playwright, and screenwriter.
November 14 – Prelude. A Panel on Brazilian music. McNeir Hall, 6pm
November 15 – Friday Music Series with PostClassical Ensemble and pianist and composer Andre Mehmari. McNeir Hall, 12:30 pm. Tickets are available here.
Visits/masterclasses/lectures by Andre Mehmari at Professor Bryan Mc Cann’s class and the GU Orchestra
Off Campus
November 19/20 – Legends of Brazil. A Musical Celebration for 200 Years of Friendship. Kennedy Center (Terrace Theater)
Participants:
Flavio Schamis, guest curator
Andre Mehmari, pianist
Elin Melgarejo, singer
Lucas Ashby, percussion
PostClassical Ensemble, conducted by Angel Gil-Ordóñez
Works by Nunes Garcia, Mignone, Villa Lobos and the world premiere of a commission by Mehmari.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Music Policy Forum
The Music Policy Forum (MPF), founded by Georgetown alumnus Michael Bracy (CAS ’90), is a dynamic non-profit leadership network that promotes collaboration among musicians, music businesses, government officials, non-profits, researchers, and philanthropists to develop strong, equitable, and sustainable music ecosystems through innovative policies and models. Since its inception in 2017, MPF has been closely connected with Georgetown University, providing rich opportunities for public conferences and convenings, especially the Music Industry Seminar. This seminar is a cornerstone of MPF’s educational initiatives at Georgetown, offering students and faculty deep insights into the music industry through direct access to a vast network of leaders.
Additionally, MPF co-sponsors the annual Music Ecosystem Forum at Georgetown University, a major event that gathers diverse stakeholders to discuss strategies for advancing music ecosystems. This forum facilitates dialogue on critical issues such as equity, sustainability, and the future of musical labor, combining academic research with practical industry insights. Through these initiatives, including the Music Industry Seminar and the Music Ecosystem Forum, Georgetown’s Department of Music and MPF collaborate to integrate scholarly perspectives with real-world practices, enriching the educational landscape and contributing to the ongoing discourse in music policy.