Taking over after a 20-year tenure is no small task, but Michael Semancik seems to be thriving in his new role as Interim Artistic Director and Conductor of the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus.
Semancik joined the chorus as Interim Artistic Director and Conductor in late July following the retirement of Joseph J. Buches, who held the position for two decades. Since then, he has been adjusting to his new role.
“I would say I am settling in very well,” Semancik said. “One of the best things about the chorus in general is just how warm and accepting and comforting everybody is in general, and has accepted me. At every concert, I spoke about just how welcoming the choir has been, and really just taking me under their wing and making me a part of them and all of that.”
He added, “And as you know, as someone that’s brand new and an interim and all of that, it really was a special thing. It was a lovely four months. We learned a lot, we worked hard, and we had a very successful concert.”
Since the Christmas concert, he’s received dozens of emails from community members saying that they’d had a great time and that several performers have received praise from family and friends.
He aimed to include something for everyone in the concert, featuring songs in Spanish, traditional Christmas carols, Hanukkah melodies, and even a sing-along, among others.
Semancik’s personal favorite song that they performed is “Dear Santa, Bring Me A Man For Christmas.”
“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “What I loved about it, and why I will say it was my favorite was [because of] the joy of everybody just singing and having a great time. That is what meant a lot to me.”
Looking ahead
Currently, Semancik has his hat in the ring for the permanent Artistic Director and Conductor position. As Interim Artistic Director, he has continued upon what Buches built.
“To me, that means keeping membership up,” Semancik said. “Continuing to do the two to three concerts a year, continuing our youth engagement, our community engagement, you know, doing all the things. So I would say that I feel pretty confident that that has been successful thus far, and we are still fine-tuning for the spring and moving forward.”
He feels confident that if he is not chosen, he will be handing Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus off in a good place. If chosen for the permanent position, Semancik wants to keep the momentum of the chorus going by increasing it in size, doing more community outreach with nonprofits, and bringing in famous singers.
“I would love [Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus] to be more of a household name in Philadelphia,” he said. “‘Oh, the Gay Men’s Chorus, oh they’re awesome, they do this and they’re doing this’ and all that. Those are some big-ticket items I think I would love to see in the next coming years if I’m the new Artistic Director.”
Upcoming Shows for Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus’s 43rd Season
Together
A free concert held at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion on January 26 at 3 p.m.
Broadway Dreams
A sing-along featuring music from Broadway and movie musicals spanning decades. Performances will take place on March 14 at 8 p.m. and March 15 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Dancing Divas Through the Decades
Scheduled for May 16 at 8 p.m. and May 17 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., this concert will highlight songs by iconic artists like Donna Summer, Debra Cox, and Adele, and will feature diva impersonators.