Peter Kay began studying composition in 1997 under John Moody while attending Spartanburg High School. During that time, the SHS orchestra and chorus premiered three of Kay's large scale works.

Also in 1997, Milton Masciadri, professor of music at the University of Georgia and world renowned soloist, commissioned a piece entitled, "Assai Triste" for double bass and piano. The following year, Masciadri incorporated the piece into his European and South American tours.

In 1998, Kay was awarded the Archibald Rutledge Scholarship for his piece, "The Tiny Song," which featured the words of South Carolina's poet laureate, Archibald Rutledge.

From 1998 to 2002, Kay attended Furman University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and studied composition briefly under Mark Kilstofte. Kay then attended the University of South Carolina where he studied under John Fitz Rogers, Samuel Douglas, and Reginald Bain receiving his Masters in Music Composition in 2004.

During that time, Kay's work grew and developed into an art of much greater depth yet still retained its aural accessability. He experimented with atonality, serialism, minimalism, and computer music, and found a way to synthesize these techniques into a music that is interesting and pleasing. Many of his works use folk melodies and harmonies in new ways so that the listener is both comfortable with the music and intrigued at its direction.

From 2002 to 2009, Kay's works have received dozens of performances. In 2002, the Spartanburg High School orchestra commissioned a concerto for double bass and cello which was premiered early in 2003. The piece was performed again by the Presbyterian College string orchestra later that year. Not to be outdone, Dorman High School commissioned a concerto for two double basses which was also premiered in 2003. In 2004, at their annual children's concert, the Greater Spartanburg Philharmonic premiered Kay's "Beowulf: A Musical Tale" written for full symphony orchestra and narrator.

 

Currently, Kay is working toward a Doctorate in Musical Arts at the University of South Carolina, emphasizing Music Composition and minoring in Music Technology with additional interests in Film Sound studies.

For more information about Peter Kay such as current papers, pieces, and projects please click the Contact link above.