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Matthew Sudnik
Theology and Social Studies Teacher and Choir Director
Patty Lynch
Associate Director of Marketing and Communications

Competition and physical performance aren’t limited to athletics at Georgetown Prep. Students in the arts are just as driven. Young men want to improve their skills, challenge themselves, and perform at their highest level—whether on stage, in the choir, in the orchestra, or in the recording studio. Many of our students participate in both athletics and the arts, and they’ll tell you that each requires discipline, practice, and steady growth year over year.

A Recognized Strength in the Arts
In The Washingtonian’s recent article, The Best DC-Area Private High Schools to Enroll Your Child In, the publication examined hundreds of local schools by reading reviews, analyzing college outcomes, and exploring school programs. The article highlighted that Georgetown Prep has a distinctive niche for music and theater. 

Here’s why.

Performing Arts at Prep

Georgetown Prep’s performing arts program gives students multiple avenues to explore creativity, sharpen their skills, and grow in confidence.

• Theater / The Prep Players
  The Prep Players produce both a play and a musical each year. Theater is one of Prep’s unique co-educational experiences, with female actors coming from multiple area schools.
  
  Sophomore Carleone Eyombo-Bella shared, "My time as a cast member on 12 Angry Jurors was a personally enriching experience, built on friendship, teamwork, and discipline; the three days of 90-minute performances were a product of the deep connections and trust with the cast over three months."
   
• A Cupola Hoyas
  Prep’s advanced vocal group brings singers together in rich, resonant harmonies heard at campus events, liturgies, and seasonal celebrations.
  
  Choir Director Matthew Sudnik reflects: “Daily singing in chorus was the defining moment of my days as a high school student in an all-boys environment. Singing in a choir cultivated a unique set of skills and let us share our gifts with the school community. My best friends in high school came from the performing arts program, and singing became a lifelong passion. At Prep, we are deeply invested in excellence in the arts, especially in the liturgical life of the school and the cultivation of mature choral singing.”
   
• Chamber Orchestra
  Musicians refine technique and artistry while performing a sophisticated repertoire that challenges them individually and collectively.
   
• Jazz Band
  Jazz Band encourages improvisation, creativity, and collaboration. Students learn to listen, adapt, and find their unique sound while contributing to a shared musical experience.
   
• Recording Studio 
  Prep’s recording studio provides hands-on experience in digital music production, composition, and sound engineering. These are skills that merge artistic creativity with modern technology. 
  
  “Our creative students thrive on collective media work that reflects the student experience here at GP,” says Sean Gaiser ‘98, who teaches Audio Engineering and Video Production classes out of the recording studio.  “My students love bonding together every year to produce a music video with custom audio and visual storytelling which brings to life the theme of each year’s Gala and promotes our most impactful annual fundraising event.  Students at GP take tremendous pride in innovative projects that have tangible, positive impact on their school.” Each year, this student driven project is showcased at the Spring Gala and is always a highlight of the evening.

Visual Arts: Seeing the World Differently

Fine Arts Teacher Robin Russell shares "The arts are important for all of our students, not just those who are innately talented. It's a different way of seeing and experiencing the world, a way that allows them to think differently, to problem solve, to fail in a safe place, and to reflect on their own journeys." 

In Prep’s visual arts studios, students engage in design, drawing, painting, ceramics, and digital media. Many others independently explore photography and videography, often capturing athletic moments and contributing to the Marketing team’s storytelling.

Building Confidence, Collaboration, and Brotherhood

Through all forms of art, whether performing or visual, students develop skills that carry on into college and beyond. The arts provide a space to take risks and discover confidence. They also enhance collaboration and empathy as students learn to listen, adapt, and create together. In keeping with our Jesuit mission of educating the whole person, the arts foster a lifelong love of learning through a love of the arts.

The Arts’ Lasting Impact

The arts have been a foundational part of Jesuit education for centuries. At Georgetown Prep, even students who are not Catholic experience the beauty and importance of liturgical music. Our international students often improve their English through performance. An underclassman with no singing experience might sit next to a seasoned senior and aspire to reach that level, much like a young quarterback looking up to a varsity starter.

Arts and athletics share far more than meets the eye: both demand focus, collaboration, discipline, and time. Both challenge students and help them discover their strengths.

Ultimately, the arts help shape our boys into confident, compassionate, and well-rounded men, which is a vital complement to their academic and athletic pursuits. At Georgetown Prep, the arts are an essential part of who we are. They encourage our young men to try new things, strive for excellence, and appreciate the richness of our Jesuit mission.