Years at Knox: 1983 to present

Education
Ph.D., Instrumental Music, 1989, Arizona State University
M.A., Composition, 1977, California State University
B.M., Composition, 1971, University of Southern California

Professional Interests
"I feel privileged to work both as a teacher and as a performer. My teaching certainly informs my work as a conductor, composer and pianist, just as my concert and creative experiences enhance and shape my classroom perspective."

Teaching Interests
music theory and history, contemporary tonal harmony, composition, conducting, orchestration, experimental and avant garde music, music of the United States

Recent Scholarly Achievements
Compositions
Publications
Guest Conducting
Involvement
Recognitions
Awards
Grants

Compositions
"Three Violin Duets on Catalonian Folksongs." 2005.

"5 Novelettes for String Quartet," Op. 15 by Alexander Glazunov arranged for String Orchestra and Harp. 2005.

"Suite on Popular Catalonian Folksongs for String Orchestra," published by ER (Editions Rassel), New York, 2005.

"Suite on Catalonian Folk Songs for String Orchestra," commissioned, 2004.

"Illumination for Orchestra," commissioned, 2003.

"Suite of Preludes for Organ." Zimbel Press, 2002.

"Come Follow Me." Variations for Organ, released on CD, 2002.

"Elegy for Solo Violin and Small Orchestra," an orchestra overture; incidental music for "Promethens Bound," commissioned and premiered in England by the Genesius Theater Foundation, 2001.

"Solemnity for Brass Ensemble," 2002.

"Semi-Suite for Violin, Cello, and Piano," commissioned by the Quad Cities Chamber Music Society, 2000.

Two pieces for SATB Chorus and Piano, on text by poet Carl Sandburg, commissioned, 2000.

Two pieces for SA Children's Chorus and Piano, on text by poet Carl Sandburg, commissioned, 2000.

"Y'Urning" Cycle for Soprano, Clarinet and Piano on CD, 1999.

"Three Reflections for Solo Piano," commissioned, 1999.

Three pieces for a cappella chorus, on text by poet Carl Sandburg, commissioned, 1999.

"Sandburg Cycle for Soprano, Tenor and Piano," commissioned, 1999.

"Concerto-Fantasy, for Piano and Orchestra," commissioned, 1997.

"Cathedral Images for Orchestra," inspired by a painting by Fredrick Ortner (former Knox professor of art), commissioned, recorded on CD by Master Musicians Collective, 1996.

"Anniversary Mourning" for a cappella chorus, commissioned, 1996.

Publications
CD, "Pictures for an Exhibition: Music of Bruce Polay." Published and distributed by Zimbel Press, New York City.

"Suite on Popular Catalonian Folksongs for String Orchestra." ER (Editions Rassel), New York, 2005.

CD, "Chamber Music by Bruce Polay." Zimbel Press, New York, 2005.

"Amazing Grace" for Violin and Piano, 2001.

"Consolation for Organ," 1998.

"Elegy for Solo Violin and Small Orchestra," 2001.

"Prelude for Kingsfold for Organ," 2001.

"Solemnity for Brass Ensemble," 2002.

"Suite of Preludes for Organ," 2002.

Guest Conducting

• Belarus
  Belarussian State Philharmonic, Minsk, 2001.
• Italy
  Orvieto Summer Festival Orchestra, 2005.
• Mexico
  State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Toluca, 2005.
  Orquesta Sinfonica de la Universidad de Guanajuato
  State Orchestra of Mexico, Mexico City
• Russia
  Rostov State Philharmonic Orchestra, 2005.
  Kislovodsk Symphony Orchestra, 2003.
  Kuzbass Symphony, Orchestra, Kemerovo, 2002.
  Bolshoi Theater Chamber Orchestra, Moscow, 2001.
  Amadeus Chamber Orchestra, Kislovodsk, 2001.
  Western Siberian Philharmonic, 2002.
• Ukraine
  Kharkiv Philharmonic Orchestra, 1996.
• Romania
  Targu Mures Philharmonic,1998, 1994.
  Arad State Philharmonic, 1998.
  Brasov State Philharmonic, 1997.
  Oltenia State Philharmonic, Craiova, 1997, 1995.
  Ploiesti State Philharmonic, Romania 1997.
  Sibiu State Philharmonic, Romania, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994.
• Spain
  Chamber Orchestra of the Emporda, 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998.
  Knox-Galesburg Symphony concert in Girona, Lleida, Reus, and in the Palau de la Música, Barcelona.
• U.K.
  Orchestra of the Swan, Stratford-Upon-Avon, 2000.
• United States
  Long Beach, California, Symphony
  Symphony of Oak Park/River Forest, Illinois

Involvement
Recitalist, Rowan University Faculty Spotlight Series (with George Atanasiu), Glassboro, New Jersey.

Recitalist, Community Concert Series (with Francesca dePasquale) Burlington, Iowa.

Recitalist, Carl Sandburg College Recital Series (with Francesca dePasquale).

Recitalist, Polay Recital Series (with Francesca dePasquale), Toulon, Illinois.

Recitalist, Community Concert Series (with Mirjam Ingolffson) Burlington, Iowa and Toulon, Illinois.

Recitalist, Carl Sandburg College Chamber Music Series (with Mirjam Ingolffson), Galesburg, Illinois.

Recitalist, Knox-Galesburg Symphony Trio; Galesburg, Illinois; Toulon, Illinois; Monmouth, Illinois; and Burlington, Iowa (with George Atanasiu).

Recitalist, Carl Sandburg College 2005-2006 Concert Series (with Eva Leon); Galesburg, Illinois and Toulon, Illinois.

Recitalist, Bistrow Series (with Eva Leon), Toulon, Illinois.

Adjudicator, Music Teachers National Association Competition, Illinois State University, 2005.

Adjudicator, District XI Orchestra Festival, West Springfield High School, Fairfax, Virginia, 2005.

Adjudicator, The Holis Prize Final Competition, Millikin University School of Music, 2005.

Judge, Florestano Rossomundi International Piano Competition, Foggio, Italy.

Judge, Midwest Young Artists Competition.

Judge, Valparaiso University Concerto/Aria Competition, 2005.

Judge, Bradley University Concerto/Aria Competition, 2005.

Instructor, conducting masterclass, Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Russian Federation, 2005.

Member, Barlow Endowment for Music Composition Board of Advisors, serving as judge for national and international composition and commissioning programs.

Member, Board of Directors and Mentoring Committee, Illinois Council of Orchestras.

Member, Illinois Arts Council, Music Program Panel for Symphonies, Ensembles and Opera.

Member, Advisory Board, Foundation for New Music.

Judge, Caltanissetta Chamber Music Competition, Sicily, Italy.

Head Judge, Ludmila Knezkova-Hussey International Piano Competition, Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada.

Judge, Midwest Young Artists Competition, 2000 to present.

Member, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).

Recognitions
Invitation to present a conducting masterclass at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Moscow, Russia.

Who's Who in America, 59th Edition, 2005.

International Who's Who in Classical Music, 2004 and 2003.

Dictionary of International Biography, 31st Edition, 2004.

Who's Who Among Americas Teachers, 2003-2004.

Outstanding Musicians of the 20th Century, 1st Edition, 2000.

International Who's Who in Music and Musicians, 18th Edition.

Who's Who in American Music.

Concert at Carnegie Hall, 1998.

Awards
Illinois Cultural Leadership Award, 2008.

ASCAPLUS Award, 2005.

Illinois Conductor of the Year, 2004, and 1997; only conductor to receive the award twice.

International Trombone Association Award (for the Knox-Galesburg Symphony), 2001.

Illinois Orchestra of the Year, 1998-1999.

Knox College Exceptional Achievement Award, 1998-1999.

Four Ragdale Foundation Composition Residencies.

American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Standards Awards, 1993-present.

Grants
Global Partners Project Award for travel to guest conduct in Russia, 2002 and 2000.

Contact
309-341-7208 
bpolay@knox.edu

What Students Say
"Professor Polay's passion for music has allowed me to play in an orchestra that has both character and zeal. He has a vast knowledge of all aspects of music and shows how each aspect helps create a larger effect. Professor Polay is receptive to students' ideas and to creativity in general. He is very approachable and genuinely concerned about his students' progress."
—Bernadette Vitola, Music Major