Esagramma Symphony Orchestra

In April, 2013, Georgetown University hosted the Esagramma Symphony Orchestra of Milan, Italy, during its first visit to the United States.

Esagramma is an internationally acclaimed inclusive symphonic orchestra composed of persons with and without disabilities, providing therapeutic music programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The work of Esagramma is very closely aligned with the Catholic and Jesuit mission of Georgetown University. One of the key dimensions of the Catholic and Jesuit mission today is outreach to the world. As Vatican II stated in its document On the Church in the Modern World, the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the world are the joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties of the Church. Of special concern are those who are afflicted in any way, those who are marginalized. Any effort that tries to include or reach out to those who are marginalized fits very well within the Catholic and Jesuit mission of the University.

This video presents the premiere concert of Esagramma in the U.S. and two interactive workshops led by orchestra conductor Licia Sbatella who explains the philosophy and methodology that Esagramma employs in making a rich musical experience accessible to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.