Rev. John Sembrat [Іван Сембрат], (b. 1943 in Peckville, PA). John Sembrat was born in 1943 in Peckville, PA, and attended SS. Cyril and Methodius Church in Olyphant, PA. In 1965-1972, he studied and completed his philosophy and theology education at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa, Ontario. He was ordained into the priesthood 29 years later at that very same parish in Olyphant, PA. He received his musical training in composition and harmony back in the 1960s at Don Bosco College (Newton, NJ) and later at the Manhattan School of Music (White Plains, NY). From 1975 to 1978, he diligently studied tonal counterpoint and fugue under the guidance of the American composer Frank Wigglesworth. He also had the wonderful opportunity to study with the famous Ukrainian musicologist and composer, Dr. Ihor Sonevytsky from 1972 to 1980. Father Ivan credits this long study with Dr. Sonevytsky and Mr. Wigglesworth as his influences, which had a significant impact on his composing activity. More recently, in 2014, he composed an Easter setting of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom for male voices and engaged over 50 professional and amateur choristers from across Canada and Ukraine to produce the recording. Today Father John makes his home in Vegreville, Alberta.
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