— About —

Chase McCay (b. 2003) is an American composer, arranger, and engraver whose music bridges raw folk energy with a cinematic sense of scale. Characterized by strong melodic clarity and rhythmic drive, his work is guided by “achievable excellence”: meticulously prepared scores that remain accessible to ensembles without sacrificing emotional or technical depth.

Chase’s compositions and arrangements have been featured in prominent academic and professional stages. Notable highlights include the premiere of his orchestral work Euphoric Dawn by The University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, and the performance of his piece K2 with the Austin Symphony Orchestra. His growing catalog of wind ensemble works has earned critical recognition; most notably, his work Songs of Bulgaria was named the 2026 National Runner-Up (2nd Place) for The American Prize in Composition, Wind Ensemble Division. Through his music, Chase has earned the trust and praise of leading conductors and educators; Maestro Farkhad Khudyev describes his output as “beautiful, honest, and alive.”

Beyond his work as a composer, Chase is an active professional music engraver and editor. Viewing the physical notation on a page as a sacred contract between composer and performer, he dedicates his practice to the “Art of the Score.” This philosophy—grounded in an uncompromised standard for visual clarity, layout symmetry, and effortless readability—has made him a trusted collaborator for university faculty, professional ensembles, and guest artists seeking elite performance materials that withstand the rigors of limited rehearsal schedules.

Chase holds a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Composition from the Butler School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin. During his time there, his artistic development was shaped under the mentorship of a distinguished composition faculty, studying closely with Dr. Donald Grantham, Omar Thomas, Dr. Alyssa Weinberg, Dr. Russell Podgorsek, and Dr. Yevgeniy Sharlat.

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Awards & Recognition

  • National Runner-Up (2nd Place) | The American Prize in Composition (2026) — Band/Wind Ensemble Collegiate Division | Songs of Bulgaria (2024)

  • Winner | 2021-2022 University of Texas Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition | Euphoric Dawn (2021)

  • Recipient | The University of Texas College of Fine Arts Honors Scholarship

  • Fifth-Place Winner | 10th Annual Sarah & Ernest Butler Austin Symphony Texas Young Composers Competition | K2 (2020)

Composition Mentors

  • Yevgeniy Sharlat (2025-2026) | UT Austin

  • Omar Thomas (2024-2025) | UT Austin

  • Russell Podgorsek (2023) | UT Austin

  • Alyssa Weinberg (2023) | UT Austin

  • Donald Grantham (2021-2022) | UT Austin

  • Austin Ali (2020-2024)

Masterclasses

  • John Mackey (Feb. 2024) | UT Austin

  • Viet Cuong (Nov. 2023) | UT Austin

Ensembles that have played Chase’s music include…

  • Mirrors (2020) | May 7, 2021

  • “Svatba!” from Songs of Bulgaria (2023) | April 18, 2024

  • Westward, Pointed Up (2023) - Reading | April 26, 2023

  • K2 (2020) | June 16, 2022

  • “Svatba!” from Songs of Bulgaria (2023) - Reading | November 3, 2023

  • Together We’ll Rise (2023) | June 2023

  • Iris of the Earth (2022) | April 12, 2025

    Songs of Bulgaria (2024) | April 12, 2025

  • “Svatba!” from Songs of Bulgaria (2023) | February 23, 2025

  • Obscure Lucidity (2021) | November 5, 2021

  • Echoes of the Frontier (2025) | February 22, 2026

  • “Svatba!” from Songs of Bulgaria (2026) | April 2, 2027

    “Svatba!” from Songs of Bulgaria (2026) - Reading | April 10, 2026

    Westward, Pointed Up (2023) - Reading | November 10, 2023

    Euphoric Dawn (2021) | May 2, 2022

  • Echoes of the Frontier (2025) - Reading | November 10, 2025

    “Svatba!” from Songs of Bulgaria (2023) - Reading | April 17, 2024

    Iris of the Earth (2022) - Reading | March 1, 2023

    Verdant Anthology (2022) Mvt. II-IV - Reading | April 29, 2022

    Liquid Gold Sky (2021) - Reading | October 27, 2021

  • “Pesen na Naroda” from Songs of Bulgaria (2024) - Reading | November 13, 2024

  • Heart Lake (2022) - Reading | December 2022