 Submitted photo by Peter BaileyBruce Polay conduct the Knox-Galesburg Symphony during a recent concert at the Orpheum Theatre. This is Polay's 25th year with KGS. Polay finds a home in Galesburg Conductor at the helm of successful KGS for 25 years Advertisement
Thursday, October 11, 2007 Conductor Bruce Polay could have gone on to what some people would have called "bigger and better" places.But he found a home in Galesburg with the Knox-Galesburg Symphony and when the 2007-08 season comes to an end, he will have spent 25 years here. "When I applied to Knox, I had six job offers. I always wanted to live in a small town and I really liked Knox," Polay said. He grew up in California and his wife was from Tempe, Ariz., so they knew the big city lifestyle and wanted to try the idyllic small-town life instead. Polay has helped craft what those in the art world term an incredible success. Launched in 1951, the symphony, which kicks of its 56th season Saturday, has grown in both size and admiration, receiving a certificate of recognition from the president of the United States in 1998.
That contemporary style also is reflected in Polay's composing. When he first started he was traditional, but his style changed dramatically and now writes pieces "I actually want to hear," he said. Polay tries to limit his composition to just one piece per year because he finds it grueling. Sparkle, which he debuted in Chicago last year, and a piece he is finishing now that will debut in March with a Florida spring quartet are his favorites. "Every note I write is hard. It is, on the other hand, a legacy as a performer I wouldn't have," he said. Polay travels two or three times per year, and by doing so is able to make contacts with members of the music community - who then return the favor by performing in Galesburg, even though he cannot pay them much. Among the notable visitors this year are conductor Enrique Batiz and one of the lead studio trumpet players David Washburn, who played on the soundtrack of "Titanic." Because of his success and status in the music world, Polay has received many job offers that would have pulled him away from Galesburg. "I've turned down a number of jobs that would have been more lucrative and 'higher profile,' but I just decided we really liked it here. I wasn't really looking for the glory/fame career. It was less important to me than the ability to live within a community and have an impact on the community," he said. The Knox-Galesburg Symphony has a significant influence in the community and the surrounding area. Audience members come from a 55-mile radius and shows at the Orpheum Theatre bring in an average of 600 people. Concerts also are rebroadcast on WCBU 89.9 FM Peoria and WVIK 90.3 FM Rock Island. Orchestra members themselves, none of whom are full-time performers, come from an even farther radius, with only 10 Knox students and six area residents part of the more than 90-member orchestra. While some orchestras would practice throughout the week leading up to a performance, tonight will be the one and only full rehearsal this week. "I like to say a concert is our best rehearsal," Polay said. "It can be stressful, but we treat it informally. I have high expectations of them, they have high expectations of me, and we trust each other." Polay said much of the credit for the symphony's success has to go to the community support, including the Music Mornings program at the Galesburg Public Library at the in-school tour program. Robert Clark, vice president of the symphony's board, said the area is supportive of all the arts. "The time has come for the city of Galesburg to be a Mecca for artists of all kinds," he said recently to city council. Polay said that sentiment reflects not only the strong financial backing the community provides - the majority of its $202,000 budget comes from corporate sponsorships and business and individual donations - but its devotion to the arts. "What's going on here reflects (like) a much larger community, particularly those not surrounded by corn. Not only us, but other arts in the community, we all breed and breath together. Any of us could falter if we were not supported," he said. He also has stayed in Galesburg so long because of the environment at Knox College, where he teaches. "Knox is just a wonderful place to be," he said. "We're blessed to be here."
If You Go... The KGS first concert of the season is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Orpheum Theatre. The concert will feature 18-year-old marimba soloist Molly Yeh, a Midwest Young Artists Competition winner Under Polay's direction, the symphony will perform Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Opus 64 and Holst's "Capriccio" for Orchestra. Yeh will perform Hovhaness' "Fantasy on Japanese Woodprints", Opus 21 on the marimba, a type of xylophone. Tickets are $8-12 and are available at the door or by calling 342-2299.
KGS Awards from the Illinois Council of Orchestras: 2006: Programming of the Year 2005: Board President of the Year, Bob Clark 2004 and 1997: Conductor of the Year, Bruce Polay 2003: Community Relations of the Year 2007 and 2000: General Manager of the Year, Pearl Strickland 1998 and 1986: Orchestra of the Year 2001: Volunteer of the Year, Paul Keser
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