Profile: Scott Semanski, Bass Ensemble Conductor

Scott Semanski is a conductor and music educator who is passionate about creating meaningful experiences of communal singing for people of all ages. A Connecticut native, Scott received bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Cello Performance from the University of Connecticut and completed his master's in Music Education at the University of Hartford. Scott has previously taught vocal and instrumental music in public and private schools at the elementary, middle, and high school level and is currently the Middle School Choral Director for the Hewitt School. Scott is also an accomplished composer and arranger, specializing in music for youth choirs and video game soundtracks.

1.  What first drew you to music education, and how did you find your way to Brooklyn Youth Chorus?

I remember first telling my aunt that I wanted to be a music teacher when I was in 4th grade. I loved all my music teachers, who taught me to sing and play the piano and cello, and I wanted to pass on the joy of making music to other people.

I found out about BYC through a job posting when I was considering moving to New York in 2022. I was blown away by the recordings I heard, as well as what I read of BYC’s mission and history, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that.

2.  What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your background?

I lived in China for seven years, working as a university English teacher and studying Mandarin Chinese. That experience introduced me to many incredible people and really broadened my view of the world. It continues to shape who I am today, both as an educator and as a person.

3.  Can you describe a moment in rehearsal that reminded you why you do this work?

Every year, after weeks of solfege drills and sight-singing exercises, there comes a moment in rehearsal where the students are able to sight-read music in three-part harmony for the first time. There’s always a palpable energy and sense of amazement among the students, both at the beauty of music and the realization of what they can achieve through persistence and teamwork. Those are the moments I treasure as an educator.

4.  If you had to sum up what kids today need most from a music teacher in three words, what would they be?

Belonging, inspiration, and growth

5.  What do you hope your choristers remember about their time with you, years from now?

Regardless of what their future involvement with music looks like, I hope my choristers will remember the feeling they had when rehearsing and performing with Bass Ensemble: the shared laughter with friends, the goosebumps from a perfectly tuned chord, and the sense of accomplishment in taking a final bow.

6.  What’s one song that instantly lifts your mood—choral or otherwise?

Anything sung by Ella Fitzgerald always makes all my troubles melt away.

7.  What’s a fun ritual or tradition you bring to your rehearsals?

I always start off the year with a lot of ice-breaker games to help build a sense of community among the choristers. There’s a particularly memorable game called “Sheep Baa”, where the goal is to NOT laugh while the other players say the words “sheep” and “baa” using very silly voices. I never last very long in that game because the choristers always crack me up.

8.  What’s your secret superpower (musical or otherwise)?

My nieces will tell you that I’m really good at reading books out loud, with all the fun voices!

9. You get one day with no responsibilities at all. How are you spending it?

Going to a coffee shop and getting lost in a book, taking a walk in a park, and then getting together with some friends for dinner and board games.

Lightning Round (quick responses)

10. Favorite vocal warm-up?

Lip trills!

11. Morning person or night owl?

Morning person, even on weekends

12.  Conducting baton or jazz hands?

Definitely jazz hands!

13.  Coffee, tea, or...?

Tea (especially matcha)

14.  Most used emoji?

😅