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.


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:

Monday, March 17, 2025 12:30pm, McNeir Hall- PRELUDE. Beyond The Godfather: The Concert Music of Nino Rota
In this special preview of PostClassical Ensemble’s upcoming concert at The Kennedy Center Beyond The Godfather: The Concert Music of Nino Rota, DPA’s Associate Professor of Musicology Robynn J. Stilwell and PCE Music Director, Angel Gil-Ordóñez, are joined in conversation by the guest curator of the program, Dr. Claudia Gorbman (Professor Emerita of Film Studies at University of Washington-Tacoma)

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 7:30pm, Kennedy Center – Beyond The Godfather: The Concert Music of Nino Rota
Italian composer Nino Rota is perhaps best known for his unforgettable Academy Award-winning original score composed for Francis Ford Coppola’s cinematic masterpiece The Godfather. PostClassical Ensemble (resident ensemble at the Department of Performing Arts) will celebrate this gem as well as others from La Strada, Amarcord, and Romeo and Juliet. However, Rota’s 150 film scores are just one side of his extraordinarily prolific compositional output.
This spring, together with guest curator Dr. Claudia Gorbman (Professor Emerita of Film Studies at University of Washington-Tacoma), PCE will paint a full picture of of Rota’s artistry including remarkable yet little-known concert works, such as Concerto for Strings, music from the ballet Le Moliére imaginaire, his Nonetto for chamber ensemble, and his virtuosic concert piece for french horn and orchestra, Castel del monte.
PCE are offering a limited number of free tickets for this event to students. To register, click here.
Program can be found 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.