January 7, 1917:
19:00 Ulysses Simpson Kay, Jr. is born in Tucson, Arizona, USA the son of Ulysses Simpson Kay, Sr., a barber, former cowboy and jockey, and Elizabeth Davis, an amateur pianist and a niece of King Oliver.
April 19, 1939:
Sinfonietta for orchestra by Ulysses Kay (22) is performed for the first time, in Syracuse, New York.
April 21, 1939:
A favorable review of the performance of 19 April in the Rochester Times Union brings the name of Ulysses Kay (22) to the public for the first time.
April 17, 1940:
Concerto for oboe and orchestra by Ulysses Kay (23) is performed for the first time, in Rochester, New York, Howard Hanson (43) conducting.
December 28, 1940:
Five Mosaics for chamber orchestra by Ulysses Kay (23) is performed for the first time, in Cleveland.
December 29, 1940:
Piano Sonata by Ulysses Kay (23) is performed for the first time, in Cleveland.
April 23, 1941:
Danse Calinda, a ballet by Ulysses Kay (24) after Torrence is performed for the first time, in Rochester, New York, Howard Hanson (44) conducting. See 23 May 1947.
July 6, 1941:
The Berkshire Music Center opens at Tanglewood for a second season. Paul Hindemith (45) and Aaron Copland (40) are again the resident composers. Students include Norman Dello Joio (28), Ulysses Kay (24), Robert Ward (23), and Lukas Foss (18).
August 1, 1942:
Ulysses Kay (25) is inducted into the United States Navy.
January 24, 1943:
Sonatina for violin and piano by Ulysses Kay (26) is performed for the first time, in New York, Leonard Bernstein (24) at the piano.
July 29, 1944:
Of New Horizons, an overture by Ulysses Kay (27), is performed for the first time, at Lewisohn Stadium, New York.
May 10, 1946:
Evocation for concert band by Ulysses Kay (29) is performed for the first time, at Wayne State University in Detroit.
January 12, 1947:
The Rope for solo dancer and piano by Ulysses Kay (30) is performed for the first time, at the 92nd Street Y, New York.
March 31, 1947:
A Short Overture for orchestra by Ulysses Kay (30) is performed for the first time, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Leonard Bernstein (28) conducting.
May 23, 1947:
A suite from the ballet Danse Calinda by Ulysses Kay (30) is performed for the first time, in New York. See 23 April 1941.
September 29, 1947:
Four Inventions for piano by Ulysses Kay (30) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
October 25, 1947:
Three Fanfares for four trumpets by Ulysses Kay (30) is performed for the first time, in New York. Also premiered is Kay’s Duo for flute and oboe.
May 9, 1948:
Brief Elegy for oboe and strings by Ulysses Kay (31) is performed for the first time, at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
November 19, 1948:
Suite from “The Quiet One” for orchestra by Ulysses Kay (31) is performed for the first time, in Times Hall, New York conducted by the composer.
February 12, 1949:
The Quiet One, a film with music by Ulysses Kay (32), is shown for the first time, in New York.
April 18, 1949:
Suite for strings by Ulysses Kay (32) is performed for the first time, in Baltimore conducted by the composer.
August 20, 1949:
Ulysses Kay (32) marries Barbara Harrison, a schoolteacher from Chicago, in Columbus, Ohio.
November 29, 1949:
Suite in B for oboe and piano by Ulysses Kay (32) is performed for the first time, at the American Academy in Rome. Also premiered is Kay’s Piano Quintet.
May 21, 1950:
Suite for orchestra by Ulysses Kay (33) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
May 2, 1951:
Symphony in E by Ulysses Kay (34) is performed for the first time, in Rochester, New York, conducted by Howard Hanson (54).
May 8, 1951:
Short Suite for band by Ulysses Kay (34) is performed for the first time, at Baylor University, Waco, Texas.
May 17, 1951:
Song of Ahab, a cantata for baritone, tenor, and instruments by Ulysses Kay (34), is performed for the first time, in Quincy, Illinois.
April 15, 1952:
Partita in A for violin and piano by Ulysses Kay (35) is performed for the first time, at the American Academy, Rome.
May 7, 1952:
Solemn Prelude for band by Ulysses Kay (35) is performed for the first time, at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York.
June 8, 1952:
Eight Inventions for piano by Ulysses Kay (35) are performed for the first time, at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
October 12, 1952:
Brass Quartet by Ulysses Kay (35) is performed for the first time, at the Brooklyn Museum.
November 23, 1952:
Two Meditations for organ by Ulysses Kay (35) is performed for the first time, at Fisk University, Nashville.
May 10, 1953:
Excerpts from Six Dances for string orchestra by Ulysses Kay (36) are performed for the first time, over the airwaves of CBS radio.
May 17, 1953:
Prelude for unaccompanied flute by Ulysses Kay (36) is performed for the first time, at the University of Maine, Orono.
May 24, 1953:
String Quartet no.1 by Ulysses Kay (36) is performed for the first time, in the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
September 1, 1953:
A Lincoln Letter for chorus by Ulysses Kay (36) to words attributed to Lincoln, is performed for the first time, in Lincoln, Illinois.
April 23, 1954:
Song of Jeremiah, a cantata for bass-baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Ulysses Kay (37) to words of the Bible, is performed for the first time, in Nashville.
September 18, 1954:
Serenade for Orchestra by Ulysses Kay (37) is performed for the first time, in Louisville, Kentucky.
October 17, 1954:
Triumvirate for male choir by Ulysses Kay (37) to words of Emerson, Longfellow, and Manville is performed for the first time, at Hunter College, New York.
December 28, 1954:
A Wreath for Waits for chorus by Ulysses Kay (37) to anonymous words is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
March 27, 1955:
Three Pieces After Blake for soprano and orchestra by Ulysses Kay (38) is performed for the first time, at Cooper Union, New York.
July 24, 1955:
How Stands the Glass Around for chorus by Ulysses Kay (38) is performed for the first time, in Weston Playhouse, Weston, Vermont.
May 10, 1956:
Fugitive Songs, a cycle for voice and piano by Ulysses Kay (39) is performed for the first time, at Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington.
May 20, 1956:
Grace to You and Peace for chorus and organ by Ulysses Kay (39) to words of Melnechuk after the Bible is performed for the first time, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
February 12, 1958:
Pietà for english horn and strings by Ulysses Kay (41) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
April 13, 1958:
An episode of the CBS television program The Twentieth Century entitled “FDR: From third term to Pearl Harbor” with music by Ulysses Kay (41) is shown for the first time, over the airwaves of the network.
September 19, 1958:
Today marks the first meeting in a cultural exchange between composers in the United States and the USSR. The meeting takes place in the Hall of Composers at the Moscow Composers’ Union. American visitors include Roger Sessions (61), Roy Harris (60), Ulysses Kay (41), and Peter Mennin (35).
October 15, 1958:
The high point of a cultural exchange between Soviet and American composers in Moscow takes place in a concert by the Moscow State Radio Orchestra in Tchaikovsky Hall. Works performed include Peter Mennin’s (35) Symphony no.6, the Symphony no.5 by Roy Harris (60), Roger Sessions’ (61) Suite from The Black Maskers, and Of New Horizons by Ulysses Kay (41).
December 20, 1958:
Organ Suite no.1 by Ulysses Kay (41) is performed for the first time, in St. Paul’s Chapel, Trinity Parish, New York.
April 12, 1959:
An episode of the CBS television program The Twentieth Century entitled “Submarine!” with music by Ulysses Kay (42) is broadcast for the first time, over the airwaves of the network.
May 17, 1959:
Ulysses Kay’s (42) cantata Phoebus, Arise for soprano, bass, chorus, and orchestra is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
November 5, 1959:
Ulysses Kay’s (42) Serenade no.2 for four horns is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
November 6, 1959:
String Quartet no.2 by Ulysses Kay (42) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
November 15, 1959:
An episode of the CBS television program The Twentieth Century entitled “The Fall of China” with music by Ulysses Kay (42) is shown for the first time, over the network.
March 12, 1960:
The NBC news program World Wide 60 with music by Ulysses Kay (43) is shown for the first time, over the airwaves of the NBC television network.
December 25, 1960:
An episode of the CBS television series The Twentieth Century entitled “Admiral Byrd” with music by Ulysses Kay (43) is shown for the first time, over the airwaves of the network.
June 18, 1961:
Trigon for wind orchestra by Ulysses Kay (44) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh.
October 10, 1961:
The television film New York: City of Magic with music by Ulysses Kay (44) is performed for the first time, at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
February 20, 1962:
String Quartet no.3 by Ulysses Kay (45) is performed for the first time, at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
February 23, 1962:
The Juggler of Our Lady, an opera by Ulysses Kay (45) to words of King is performed for the first time, at Xavier University, New Orleans.
March 13, 1962:
The NBC news program The Land with music by Ulysses Kay (45) is shown for the first time, over the airwaves of the network.
May 27, 1962:
To Light That Shines for chorus and piano or organ by Ulysses Kay (45) to words of Johnson is performed for the first time, in New York.
August 20, 1962:
Flowers in the Valley for chorus by Ulysses Kay (45) to anonymous words is performed for the first time, in Chicago.
September 22, 1962:
Forever Free for band by Ulysses Kay (45) is performed for the first time, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
February 22, 1963:
Triptych on Texts of Blake for voice, violin, cello, and piano by Ulysses Kay (46) is performed for the first time, at Winston-Salem State Teachers College, North Carolina.
November 19, 1963:
Fantasy Variations for orchestra by Ulysses Kay (46) is performed for the first time, in Portland, Maine.
March 31, 1964:
Umbrian Scene, a symphonic poem by Ulysses Kay (47) is performed for the first time, in New Orleans.
April 24, 1964:
Portrait Suite for orchestra by Ulysses Kay (47) is performed for the first time, in Erie, Pennsylvania.
April 26, 1964:
Inscriptions from Whitman for chorus and orchestra by Ulysses Kay (47) is performed for the first time, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
March 13, 1966:
Presidential Suite for orchestra by Ulysses Kay (49) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston the composer conducting.
March 18, 1966:
Two Dunbar Lyrics for chorus by Ulysses Kay (49) is performed for the first time, at West Virginia State College, Institute.
August 18, 1966:
Markings for orchestra by Ulysses Kay (49) is performed for the first time, at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan.
December 3, 1967:
The Birds for female chorus by Ulysses Kay (50) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
February 4, 1968:
Stephen Crane, a cantata by Ulysses Kay (51) to words of Crane, is performed for the first time, at Chicago Musical College.
March 28, 1968:
Symphony by Ulysses Kay (51), commissioned to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the State of Illinois, is performed for the first time, in Macomb, Illinois.
April 12, 1968:
The Boor, an opera by Ulysses Kay (51) to his own words after Chekhov, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting at the University of Kentucky at Lexington.
September 9, 1968:
Heralds I for brass octet by Ulysses Kay (51) is performed for the first time, in New York.
September 26, 1968:
Theatre Set for orchestra by Ulysses Kay (51) is performed for the first time, in Atlanta.
October 11, 1968:
Reverie and Rondo for orchestra by Ulysses Kay (51) is performed for the first time, in Flint, Michigan.
February 13, 1969:
Scherzi musicali for chamber orchestra by Ulysses Kay (52) is performed for the first time, in Detroit.
September 18, 1969:
Once There Was a Man for narrator, chorus, and orchestra by Ulysses Kay (52) to words of Caudill is performed for the first time, in Detroit.
February 21, 1971:
Aulos for flute, two horns, strings, and percussion by Ulysses Kay (54) is performed for the first time, at Indiana University, Bloomington.
March 6, 1971:
Parables for chorus and chamber orchestra by Ulysses Kay (54) to anonymous words is performed for the first time, in Kansas City, Missouri.
March 12, 1971:
The Capitoline Venus, an opera by Ulysses Kay (54) to words of Dvorkin after Twain, is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
October 19, 1971:
Facets for piano and woodwind quintet by Ulysses Kay (54) is performed for the first time, at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York.
September 25, 1972:
Nine eminent artists and academicians are appointed distinguished professors by the City University System of New York. Among them is Ulysses Kay (55), who is appointed to Lehman College.
December 8, 1973:
Four Silhouettes for band by Ulysses Kay (56) is performed for the first time, in New York.
February 22, 1974:
Five Portraits for violin and piano by Ulysses Kay (57) is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington.
October 10, 1974:
Heralds II for three trumpets by Ulysses Kay (57) is performed for the first time, in New York.
March 14, 1975:
Quintet Concerto for two trumpets, french horn, trombone, tuba, and orchestra by Ulysses Kay (58) is performed for the first time, in New York.
February 10, 1976:
Southern Harmony for orchestra by Ulysses Kay (59) is performed for the first time, in Kenan Auditorium at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
May 15, 1976:
Epigrams and Hymn for chorus and organ by Ulysses Kay (59) to words of Whittier, Murray, and Longfellow is performed for the first time, in New York.
October 12, 1976:
The Western Paradise for narrator and orchestra by Ulysses Kay (59) to words of Dorr is performed for the first time, in Washington.
November 20, 1976:
Jubilee, an opera by Ulysses Kay (59) to words of Dorr after Walker, is performed for the first time, in Jackson, Mississippi.
January 7, 1979:
Jersey Hours for voice and three harpsichords by Ulysses Kay to words of Dorr is performed for the first time, in Teaneck, New Jersey on the composer’s 62nd birthday.
August 8, 1979:
Chariots for orchestra by Ulysses Kay (62) is performed for the first time, in Saratoga Springs, New York the composer conducting.
March 13, 1984:
Festival Psalms for baritone and chorus by Ulysses Kay (67) is performed for the first time, in Holland Michigan.
July 5, 1985:
Five Winds for woodwind quintet by Ulysses Kay (68) is performed for the first time, in St. Mary’s, Maryland.
December 8, 1985:
Guitarra for solo guitar by Ulysses Kay (68) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
May 24, 1986:
Tromba for trumpet and piano by Ulysses Kay (69) is performed for the first time, in Baird Auditorium at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington.
February 8, 1987:
Two Impromptus for piano by Ulysses Kay (70) is performed for the first time, at the Weill Recital Hall, New York.
January 23, 1988:
String Triptych for string orchestra by Ulysses Kay (71) is performed for the first time, in Osage Beach, Missouri.
June 10, 1989:
The music faculty of Lehman College present and all-Ulysses Kay (72) concert to honor his retirement from the school.
April 14, 1991:
Frederick Douglass, an opera by Ulysses Kay (74) to words of Dorr, is performed for the first time, in Newark Symphony Hall, New Jersey.
May 20, 1995:
Ulysses Simpson Kay dies in Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey, USA of Parkinson’s disease, aged 78 years, four months, and 13 days.