About | Composer
Peter B. Kay is a storyteller without words, using music to create compelling narratives. His depictions are imaginative, mysterious, whimsical, and entertaining. Peter combines classical traditions with modern folk/pop influences and contemporary techniques resulting in a voice that is both fresh and familiar.
Composer in Residence for the Spartanburg Philharmonic, Peter also currently serves as the Philharmonic's General Manager. He has written and arranged several works for the Philharmonic including film showings of the silent classics "Nosferatu" and Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid".
An advocate for New Music, in 2014 Peter founded Treefalls, a non-profit organization dedicated to performing the music of living composers – particularly premieres or music written by under-represented groups. Based in the upstate of South Carolina, the organization has so far programmed 10 world premiere performances, dozens of SC premieres, presented 9 exclusively Treefalls concerts, partnered in 4 other large-scale New Music events, held 4 local, regional, and international Calls for Scores, and commissioned 6 new works by local living composers.
Peter received his undergraduate degree in music from Furman University where he studied with award-winning composer Mark Kilstofte. He went on to receive his graduate degrees from the University of South Carolina, where he studied with composers John Fitz Rogers, Samuel O. Douglas, and Reginald Bain with an emphasis in Music Composition and additional interests in Film Sound and Musical Humor studies.
Selected Works
Pieces for Solo/Duo
The Boys of Summer (2018) 5'
solo piano
commissioned Susu Johnson
premiered in "SPO Espresso no. 3: Café d'amour" (February 2018)
a Brief Affair Continues Him (2016) 4'
solo cello
commissioned by Brenda Leonard
premiered on NGU faculty recital (April 2015) and "Treefalls presents: Cello Times Two benefiting globalbike" (November 2015)
a remembered, seconds (2014) 5'
cello | bass clarinet
premiered by the Blechtler Ensemble at the 2014 Charlotte New Music Festival (June 2014)
the Sea (2013) 8'
two cellos and fixed media
commissioned by Cello Times Two
premiered and featured throughout 2014 spring tour
Pieces of Old Photographs (2012) 18'
solo piano
University of South Carolina: Doctoral Recital (May 2012)
snowflakes & ashes (2012) 5'
cello | piano
University of South Carolina: Doctoral Recital (May 2012)
Scenes from Babbitt Square (2004) 8'
solo piano
premiered in "New Voices X" at the University of South Carolina (April 2006)
Pieces for Small Ensemble
for Molly (2017) 15'
violin | viola | cello
commissioned by Trillium
premiered in "Treefalls presents: Trillium" (March 20 & 21, 2017)
for In a New Light (2017) 8'
fl/picc | ob | clar/bs clar | bsn/ob | 2 tpt/picc | 2 hns | tbn | tba
short film (by Jonathan Ade) and music commissioned by the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra to commemorate the closing of the "Seeing Spartanburg in a New Light" exhibit
premiered in "SPO Espresso no. 4: Blue Mountain Blend" (March 2017)
Sextet for Strings, "Impressions" (2015) 7'
2 violins | 2 violas | 2 cellos
commissioned by the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra
premiered in "SPO Espresso no. 1: German Blend" (October 2015)
god, you (2014) 6'
baritone | trumpet | trombone | bass clarinet
text by P. L. Thomas; premiered by Loadbang at the 2014 Charlotte New Music Festival (June 2014) and at Stage Left Studio in New York (December 2014)
Mountain (2013) 6'
viola | piano | double bass
premiered in "Living Music Now" and "Virgin Ears Workshop" at the Oregon Bach Festival, Composers Symposium (June 2016)
a Boy and his Tiger (Sunday Edition) (2013) 5'
flute | clarinet | violin | cello | piano
String Quartet in D (2011) 15'
2 violins | viola | cello
University of South Carolina: Doctoral Recital (May 2012)
Suite for Saxophone Quartet "Scotland" (2005) 15'
SATB saxophones
commissioned by the Assembly Saxophone Quartet
premiered in "Scottish Country Fair and Celtic Festival" in Sumter, SC (April 2005) and "New Voices VIII" at the University of South Carolina (April 2005)
Pieces for Film
Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid" (2017) 57'
2 violins | clarinet | cello | bassoon | piano | marimba/percussion
music selected and arranged by Peter B. Kay
premiered in "SPO Espresso no. 1: Chaplin au lait" (October 2017)
for In a New Light (2017) 8'
fl/picc | ob | clar/bs clar | bsn/ob | 2 tpt/picc | 2 hns | tbn | tba
short film (by Jonathan Ade) and music commissioned by the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra to commemorate the closing of the "Seeing Spartanburg in a New Light" exhibit
premiered in "SPO Espresso no. 4: Blue Mountain Blend" (March 2017)
Nosferatu* (2016, rev. 2018) 58'
2 violins | 2 violas | cello | double bass | piano
original score and arrangements of the chamber music of Brahms
premiered in "SPO Espresso no. 2: Cafea Vampyre" (October 2016), received second performance on "Nosferatu: A Dark Brew" (October 2018).
*edited to one-hour by Peter B. Kay
IO (2014) 6'
electroacoustic
to accompany a short film by Jonathan Ade
premiered in "Treefalls: TWO" (June 2014)
No More Excuses (2013) 2'
musical score, film editing, and animation for Call to Action video produced by Appalachian Voices (January 2013)
Something Lost (2005) 15'
violin | 2 clarinets | double bass | piano
to accompany a short film by Ian Kay
Pieces Mixed/Multimedia
The Lonely Ones (2018) ∞'
electroacoustic installation; 3 stereos
commissioned by the Spartanburg Art Museum to accompany a Gus Powell exhibit
premiered during during Art Walk, April 2018 under the title "Sound Field Sounds"
Circumpliance (2015) ∞'
electroacoustic & mixed media installation
commissioned by Wofford College in collaboration with Kris Neely & Lynn Rhodes
Exhibit/Installations:
the Sea (2013) 8'
two cellos and fixed media
commissioned by Cello Times Two
premiered and featured throughout 2014 spring tour
IO (2014) 6'
electroacoustic
to accompany a short film by Jonathan Ade
premiered in "Treefalls: TWO" (June 2014)
About | Graphic Designer
Peter B. Kay enjoys designing for a broad range of clients, but he is particularly interested in projects that involve musical elements. Working primarily with digital media, his work often includes hints of realism with a touch of nostalgia or clever and contemporary abstract illustrations. He explores each subject fully, crafting just the right combination of imagery, color, and font/text (when applicable).
Though trained in the Visual Arts with an emphasis on 2D work, Peter eventually chose to focus on the study of Music when completing his degrees. Still, he maintained his passion for design and continued to take freelance jobs as they came. From 2015 until 2017, he worked full-time as the Graphic Designer for the Spartanburg Philharmonic, and now he is the General Manager and Composer in Residence there.
Design Portfolio
Copyright © 2018 by Peter B. Kay
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