Music

Georgetown University’s Music Program is distinctive for its emphasis on the study of music as both a reflection of multiculturalism in the Americas and a creative activity within contemporary society. The program specializes in all forms of music from jazz, rock, film, country and folk music from around the world to the music traditions of Western Europe (i.e. classical music).

The liberal arts degree in American Musical Culture integrates the University’s strengths in film/media, public policy, politics and social justice within the cultural sphere and is designed for students interested in pursuing careers and/or graduate study in arts management, entertainment law, media studies, music business, music journalism or musicology/ethnomusicology.

Committed to offering real-life training, the Music Program has established close alliances with many of Washington, DC’s art and media institutions, giving students the opportunity to pursue internships with BET, CBS, the Kennedy Center, NBC, NPR, PBS, Sirius XM Radio, Smithsonian Folkways, Voice of America Radio, and the Future of Music Coalition. 

Georgetown has a long tradition in music. For well over a century, students have participated actively in ensembles such as chamber music, chamber singers, chapel choir, concert choir, gospel choir, jazz band and orchestra. In recent years, the Music Program has expanded its offerings to include the World Percussion Ensemble and Guild of Bands, an organization dedicated to contemporary popular music.

There are numerous co-curricular groups, including a cappella ensembles and the Pep Band, which performs at university athletic events. Each year our music students collaborate with professional ensembles such as Modern Musick and the PostClassical Ensemble and perform at prestigious venues across the DC area, including the White House, the Kennedy Center and numerous foreign embassies.

Students also have the opportunity to study songwriting, composition, recording arts and audio documentary production on campus and produce their own podcasts and music recordings in the Taishoff Recording Studio.

View an archive of Music Ensemble Performances.