About
Composer
Peter B. Kay is an American composer and arts administrator whose music combines cinematic lyricism, rhythmic vitality, and a deep appreciation for orchestral color. Drawing inspiration from American musical traditions while embracing contemporary influences, his works seek to connect with audiences through expressive storytelling, memorable thematic material, and emotionally resonant musical narratives. Whether writing for symphony orchestra or chamber ensemble, Kay is committed to creating music that is engaging for both performers and audiences, balancing accessibility with artistic depth.
Kay serves as Director of Artistic Operations and Composer-in-Residence of the Spartanburg Philharmonic in South Carolina, where he has played a significant role in artistic planning, community engagement, and the development of new musical initiatives.
His compositions have been performed by professional orchestras, chamber ensembles, and university musicians throughout North America and Europe. Recent works include The Moons (2025), a community-centered project that transformed poetry and prose written by K–12 students into a large-scale orchestral suite; Dicey Langston: Hero of the Revolution (2026), a nationally recognized collaboration celebrating the courage of South Carolina Revolutionary War heroine Dicey Langston; and Revolutions (2026), composed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Exploring the cyclical nature of history, Revolutions examines both celebration and reflection through the continual transformation of recurring musical ideas. Both The Moons and Dicey Langston were supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, reflecting Kay's commitment to creating new works that connect history, community, and live performance.
As an arts administrator, Kay is equally passionate about expanding access to classical music and fostering meaningful connections between orchestras and their communities. His detailed approach to programming and his advocacy for new music have made him a respected voice in arts leadership as well as composition.
Kay 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.
New Music Advocacy
A proponent of new classical music, in 2014 Peter founded Treefalls, a non-profit organization dedicated to performing compositions by living, active composers – particularly premieres or music written by under-represented groups. In its 7-years, the organization programmed more than a dozen world premiere performances (many more SC premieres); presented 14 exclusively Treefalls concerts; partnered in multiple additional large-scale New Music events; held 4 local, regional, and international Calls for Scores; and commissioned over a dozen new works by local, living composers.
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).
A few examples of his work are available on this website, but to view his full professional portfolio, please feel free to contact him directly!
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 July 2017 and from January 2019 to the present, he has worked as the Graphic Designer for the Spartanburg Philharmonic.
Wild Posters
In 2019, Peter won the “WILD Spartanburg” poster contest with his Glendale Shoals design and was commissioned to create an additional three posters for the Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) and the Tyger River Foundation. Along with their stylistic nod to the National Park posters from the 1930s and 40s, the four-piece series also serves to encourage tourism to Spartanburg’s nature preserves. All sales of the posters support SPACE.
