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Education & Community

PostClassical Ensemble (PCE) brings the magic of orchestral music directly into the classrooms of elementary, middle school, and high school students within the DC Public Schools, offering learning experiences that intersect with each school’s curricula and  PCE's programming. Through interactive workshops and presentations led by PCE musicians, guest artists, and Music Director Angel Gil-Ordonez, these initiatives nurture creativity, inspiration, and shedding light on the people behind the music .

Current Programs

Composer Residency with Benet Casablancas and Mercedes Zavala

As part of PostClassical Ensemble's centennial celebration of Manuel de Falla's El retablo de maese Pedro (part of April 2023's Entwined), and with the support of the Sociedad General de Autores de España (SGAE), Spanish composers Mercedes Zavala and Benet Casablancas will enjoy a week of residencies at both Georgetown University and Peabody Conservatory, September 11-15, 2023. The two composers will be working with PCE's Music Director, Angel Gil-Ordóñez, in masterclass and lecture settings with students at both schools. On Friday, September 15 at 12:30pm, their works will be included in a public piano recital by Enriqueta Somarriba hosted by Georgetown University.

DC PUBLIC SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

PCE  is proud to partner with Columbia Heights Education Campus (CHEC) and John Burroughs Elementary School (JBES). PCE visits both campuses  multiple times during the school year to bring a variety of education programs directly to the classroom, including:

Assembly Musical Performances and Musician Q&A

Which has included a jazz quartet performance on the music of Duke Ellington, a Flamenco concert (with guitarist, vocalists, and Flamenco dancers, and solo performances by PCE Musicians.

Music Classroom Visits

Including orchestra score study workshops for music theory students, masterclasses with guest artists, and instrumental coachings from Angel Gil-Ordonez and PCE Musicians.

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Field Trip Experiences

Giving students the opportunity to watch PCE work in a dress  rehearsal setting. These visits include pre-field trip and post-field trip visits by Angel Gil-Ordonez and PCE Musicians, along with opportunities to interact with artists during the rehearsal break

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CARNEGIE HALL’S LINK UP

Since 2024-2025, PostClassical Ensemble has partnered  with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute to  offer the innovative music learning program, “Link Up” Your students can perform this year’s Link Up together with the PostClassical Ensemble on April 27, 2026!

2025-26 Link Up: The Orchestra Rocks!

One universal element of music is rhythm. Composers and musicians play with elements of musical time, creating patterns of sound and silence that are expressive and exciting. A consistent groove can unite musicians, singers, and audiences in an experience of listening and performing together. Through the Link Up repertoire, hands-on activities, and a culminating interactive performance with a professional orchestra, we will discover how the orchestra rocks.

Teacher and student guides are provided, with customized Lesson Plans for teaching the curriculum. Through active listening, analyzing the music, and a focus on the expressive quality of the music, students will put these core capacities to use in a new domain. The program is ready to implement and flexible, with teachers able to incorporate the Link Up curriculum and engaging lessons into their classroom to support their students' learning goals.

Link Up connects the classroom to the concert hall to enhance student's skills including:

  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Creativity
  • Confidence
  • Concentration  

Learn more about Link Up: The Orchestra Rocks on Carnegie Hall’s website.

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Georgetown University Artist-In-Residence

PostClassical Ensemble is proud to be the Ensemble-in-Residence at Georgetown University, where Angel Gil-Ordóñez serves as Director of the Georgetown University Orchestra and Adjunct Professor of the Practice.

As part of the partnership, Georgetown University students have access to regular coachings in orchestral and chamber music settings by PCE musicians, as well as masterclasses and workshops with PCE’s guest artists. Students also are offered opportunities to participate in PCE’s work with its DC Public School Partnerships, and to intern with the ensemble in paid part-time administrative positions. There are additional free opportunities for students to attend PCE rehearsals and performances at the Kennedy Center.

Guest curators and composers of PCE’s programs also get the opportunity to engage in cross-disciplinary engagements with the Georgetown University community across departments, including cultural studies, history, film, theater, dance, and more. Additionally, PCE

musicians and guests are regularly featured in free performances at Georgetown, such as the Friday Music Concert Series.

Learn more about this partnership on Georgetown University’s Department of Music website

Get in touch!

Interested in learning more on how your DC school can participate in one of PCE’s Education Programs? Email Ruben McFarlane, Education Programs & Partnerships Manager at rmcfarlane@postclassical.com

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