Kenneth Tay (b. 1992) is a Singaporean composer, conductor, educator, and choral practitioner currently based in Glasgow, Scotland. Described as “luminous” (The Straits Times), “original and harmonically engaging” (The Flying Inkpot), and “compelling” (Vox Carnyx), his musical language connects Singaporean-Southeast Asian contour and Western sacred sensibility, unfolding through shimmering harmony, heterophony, and long‑line vocal writing. His compositions have been performed internationally by ensembles including The Marian Consort (2025), University of Delaware Chorale (2024), and the Arcadian Singers (2023). His music has also featured in the Singapore Choral Festival with Victoria Chorale (2025), BBC Radio 3 with the Echo Vocal Ensemble (2024), and the World Symposium on Choral Music in Istanbul reading sessions (2023).

His choral leadership style embraces a collaborative approach using everyday objects and accessible imagery to shape ensemble sound. Kenneth is the founder and artistic director of the vocal ensemble Basement Bunch, with a focus on the a cappella choral repertory across a wide variety of Western and Asian languages. He is a freelance editor for Muziksea, and a member of the Composers Society of Singapore, Choral Directors’ Association Singapore, and International Federation for Choral Music. He is Cantoris Bass and Honorary Associate Conductor with the University of Glasgow Chapel Choir, and music director of the University of Glasgow Medics Music Society.

As a singer, Kenneth has performed and toured extensively with numerous award-winning ensembles: the Victoria Junior College Choir, National University of Singapore Choir, Victoria Chorale, Voices of Singapore, Anglican Chamber Ensemble, Choir of King’s College Aberdeen, Chroma, Symphonia Choralis, Renaissance Singers, and deputises in many others. He has been featured as bass-baritone soloist in many choral competitions, winning gold medals with choirs in the Festa Musicale (Czech Republic), Venezia in Musica (Italy), and World Choir Games (Latvia).

He completed a PhD in Composition jointly undertaken at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the University of St Andrews, supervised by Oliver Searle, Stuart MacRae, and Zechariah Goh. He holds an MMus from the University of Aberdeen, where he studied composition under Phillip Cooke and Paul Mealor, and conducting with John Frederick Hudson. While completing his bachelor’s in Political Science at the National University of Singapore, he studied harmony and counterpoint with Nirmali Fenn. He remains engaged in professional development through composition masterclasses, including those with Ēriks Ešenvalds, Giovanni Bonato, and James MacMillan. His research interests include intercultural music practices and the creative ecologies that support new music.