Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LESBIAN/GAY CHORUS OF SAN FRANCISCO
Announcing Our New Artistic Director, Michael Reilly
Media Contact: Joie Rey Cohen, LGCSF Operations Manager ([email protected])
Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco (LGCSF) is pleased to announce that Michael Reilly is the organization’s tenth Artistic Director effective June 15, 2017. Michael will lead the chorus as it begins its new season in August, with auditions for new members on August 10 and the first rehearsal on August 17.
Michael is a conductor, singer, composer, and educator living in the Bay Area. He is currently on the music faculties of Solano Community College (Voice and Music Theory) and San Francisco Boys Chorus (Musicianship), as well as the Director of Music at Community Presbyterian Church and Artistic Director for Melody Choral Singers in Vallejo.
“Working with LGCSF is a dream come true,” said Michael when he was hired. “My husband and I moved to the Bay Area three years ago so that I could change careers and pursue my passion for music full time. We met singing in the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus and were married in San Francisco in 2013. This city holds a special place in my heart. I look forward to working with LGCSF and telling our community’s stories through song, because now more than ever, ours is a voice that need to be heard - a voice of a people who are still not given equal space.”
Previously, Michael served as Associate Artistic Director for the Bennie L. Williams Spiritual Voices, a 45-voice multi-ethnic mixed choir, which celebrates the varied traditions of spirituals and provides an opportunity for people to connect personally with spirituals through performance. A highlight of his time with the choir was “My Soul is a River,” the choir’s tribute concert to Dr. Vincent Harding with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Dianne Reeves.
As a performer, Michael has appeared on stage and screen. As a musical theater actor, he has been called a “stand out performer” (Chicago Tribune), and “hilarious and clarion-voiced” (Chicago Gay Times). As a choral artist, he sang with the critically acclaimed Donald Brinegar Singers in Los Angeles for several seasons and was a member of the Terabithia Choir on the soundtrack for the movie Bridge to Terabithia.
In 2013, YouthPLAYS published his musical adaptation (Diane Grant book/lyrics) of Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows, which premiered at Theatre Palisades in 2010.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Performance Studies from Northwestern University, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Master of Music in Music Education with Kodály emphasis from Holy Names University.
Rachel Pokorny, president of the Board, says, “LGCSF is so pleased to have Michael at our podium. His extensive educational background will guide us on our path of striving for musical excellence, and his wide-ranging knowledge of musical styles and presentations will broaden our repertoire and our audience. Michael’s charm and affability are also welcome additions to an already charming and affable organization.”
About the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco: Now beginning its 38th Season, LGCSF is supported in part by the San Francisco Grants for the Arts and is a member of GALA Choruses (Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses), the leading association committed to serving the LGBT choral movement. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings at 7pm at the First Congregational Church of San Francisco, located at 1300 Polk Street. Those interested in joining the chorus may contact the Operations Manager by email at [email protected] to arrange for an audition.
Mission: Celebrating all sexual orientations and gender identities, LGCSF provides an open and artistic environment for singers committed to musical excellence. Our performances entertain, educate, and inspire audiences with the spirit of inclusion and harmony.
Vision: Reflecting the diversity of our community, LGCSF entertains and inspires through music.
LESBIAN/GAY CHORUS OF SAN FRANCISCO
Announcing Our New Artistic Director, Michael Reilly
Media Contact: Joie Rey Cohen, LGCSF Operations Manager ([email protected])
Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco (LGCSF) is pleased to announce that Michael Reilly is the organization’s tenth Artistic Director effective June 15, 2017. Michael will lead the chorus as it begins its new season in August, with auditions for new members on August 10 and the first rehearsal on August 17.
Michael is a conductor, singer, composer, and educator living in the Bay Area. He is currently on the music faculties of Solano Community College (Voice and Music Theory) and San Francisco Boys Chorus (Musicianship), as well as the Director of Music at Community Presbyterian Church and Artistic Director for Melody Choral Singers in Vallejo.
“Working with LGCSF is a dream come true,” said Michael when he was hired. “My husband and I moved to the Bay Area three years ago so that I could change careers and pursue my passion for music full time. We met singing in the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus and were married in San Francisco in 2013. This city holds a special place in my heart. I look forward to working with LGCSF and telling our community’s stories through song, because now more than ever, ours is a voice that need to be heard - a voice of a people who are still not given equal space.”
Previously, Michael served as Associate Artistic Director for the Bennie L. Williams Spiritual Voices, a 45-voice multi-ethnic mixed choir, which celebrates the varied traditions of spirituals and provides an opportunity for people to connect personally with spirituals through performance. A highlight of his time with the choir was “My Soul is a River,” the choir’s tribute concert to Dr. Vincent Harding with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Dianne Reeves.
As a performer, Michael has appeared on stage and screen. As a musical theater actor, he has been called a “stand out performer” (Chicago Tribune), and “hilarious and clarion-voiced” (Chicago Gay Times). As a choral artist, he sang with the critically acclaimed Donald Brinegar Singers in Los Angeles for several seasons and was a member of the Terabithia Choir on the soundtrack for the movie Bridge to Terabithia.
In 2013, YouthPLAYS published his musical adaptation (Diane Grant book/lyrics) of Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows, which premiered at Theatre Palisades in 2010.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Performance Studies from Northwestern University, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Master of Music in Music Education with Kodály emphasis from Holy Names University.
Rachel Pokorny, president of the Board, says, “LGCSF is so pleased to have Michael at our podium. His extensive educational background will guide us on our path of striving for musical excellence, and his wide-ranging knowledge of musical styles and presentations will broaden our repertoire and our audience. Michael’s charm and affability are also welcome additions to an already charming and affable organization.”
About the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco: Now beginning its 38th Season, LGCSF is supported in part by the San Francisco Grants for the Arts and is a member of GALA Choruses (Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses), the leading association committed to serving the LGBT choral movement. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings at 7pm at the First Congregational Church of San Francisco, located at 1300 Polk Street. Those interested in joining the chorus may contact the Operations Manager by email at [email protected] to arrange for an audition.
Mission: Celebrating all sexual orientations and gender identities, LGCSF provides an open and artistic environment for singers committed to musical excellence. Our performances entertain, educate, and inspire audiences with the spirit of inclusion and harmony.
Vision: Reflecting the diversity of our community, LGCSF entertains and inspires through music.