Peter B. Kay is a composer who combines classical traditions with contemporary techniques and modern folk & pop influences 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. In recent years, he has written and arranged several works for the Philharmonic including Phoenix (Cathedral) (2019), commemorating the reopening of Twichell Auditorium at Converse University, Dissent (Notorious) (2021), inspired by the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, to be Determined (2021), celebrating the return to live music after the pandemic, his Christmas Suite for Chamber Orchestra (2020), and scores for several silent movies which were performed live alongside showings of the classic films.

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.

Education

• D.M.A., University of South Carolina
• M.M., University of South Carolina
• B.A., Furman University