Welcome to the Georgetown Lombardi Arts & Humanities Program (AHP) newsletter. In this week's newsletter we are pleased to share a review of our lively Holiday Concert in MGUH, a feature on the work of the Arts & Humanities Program in the Georgetown HEALTH magazine, and our free virtual courses available through Eventbrite.

Holiday Concert at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

On Wednesday, December 14th, the Department of Mission and Pastoral Care and the Georgetown Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program (AHP) presented a Holiday Concert in celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa at the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH) Chapel. In addition to welcoming guests back in person post-COVID-19, the concert spread holiday cheer throughout the hospital as it was live-streamed on the in-patient television channel.

Tom Chirdo, Director of Mission and Pastoral Care, welcomed the audience into the joyful space. In addition to the wreaths decorating the walls of the chapel, a table in front of the altar was adorned with a Hanukkah menorah, a Kwanzaa kinara, and a Christmas tree.

Kinara (left), Christmas tree (center), and Menorah (right).



More than 50 guests were treated to musical interludes, a conversation on the community values celebrated on each night of Kwanzaa, and spirit-lifting, sing-a-long songs.

Image above, from left to right: Reverend Dyan McCray, musician-in-residence Karen Ashbrook (hammered dulcimer), and Lauren Hoak (violin).

Karen Ashbrook, AHP musician-in-residence (hammered dulcimer), Paul Oorts (harp guitar), and Jim North presented a Holiday Mash-Up of songs including Let it Snow, Nowell Sing we Clear (Masters in this Hall), Ocho Kandelikas/Eight Candles, and Sevivon. Jim North's on-stage costume change from the vibrant red of Christmas to the warm and inviting blue of Hanukkah between Nowell Sing we Clear and Ocho Kandelikas was a highlight of the event.

Image above: Paul Oorts (left) and Jim North (right).

Midway through the concert, Reverend Dyan McCray took the floor to speak about the meaning of Kwanzaa, and the Seven Principles behind each of the seven candles lit for the holiday: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Her words left the audience considering where they found meaning in their own lives, and how they were able to find joy and intentionality in their community.

The Chaplain Chorale returned to share Silent Night and Jingle Bells, two commonly-known songs that brought the audience to tap their toes and sway along to the music. This energy grew as the Holiday Concert concluded with a rousing group sing-a-long of Feliz Navidad. After two years of physical and emotional distance due to the pandemic, everyone was excited to be celebrating together. This was also the first time all three holidays have been celebrated in the chapel at the same time during the winter season. The Department of Mission and Pastoral Care and the AHP look forward to planning another inclusive holiday concert for the next holiday season!

Arts & Humanities Program featured in Georgetown HEALTH Magazine: Winter 2023

Free Online Winter Classes

To sign up, click on the title of the classes below, or visit The Georgetown Arts & Humanities Program on Eventbrite.

The Georgetown Lombardi Arts & Humanities Program (AHP) promotes a holistic approach to healthcare for patients, caregivers, physicians, nurses, staff members, and students through the use of music, dance, expressive writing, and visual arts. These therapeutic modalities are normally provided throughout the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and online through Eventbrite courses. The AHP is a program of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.