Albert Tay is an award-winning composer, conductor, educator whose works traverse genres. Drawing inspiration from literature, visual art, and everyday life, his highly eclectic musical output reflects his multicultural, multiracial and multi-religious Singaporean roots, influenced by Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western musical traditions. His output ranges from edgy theatrical, avant-garde soundscapes, to lush, lyrical pieces, as well as rhythmically driven, pop and audience-friendly works. He has written for orchestra, wind band, instrumental chamber ensembles, fixed media, video game and film music. A classically trained bass-baritone soloist and a seasoned conductor, Albert’s vocal and choral works are particularly popular, pushing the boundaries of vocal expression but remaining idiomatic and vocally friendly.

Albert’s original compositions and arrangements have been commissioned, premiered, recorded and performed by outstanding ensembles across Asia, Africa, Europe and America in some of the world’s finest concert halls e.g. Esplanade Concert Hall (Singapore), Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (Urbana-Champaign, USA), National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts Weiwuying Concert Hall (Kaohsiung), National Theater and Concert Hall (Taipei) etc.. His works have been featured in competitions and festivals e.g. Europa Cantat, RH International Prestige Award, Orientale Concentus, World Choir Games, etc. Works such as “Ecce Crucem Domini” earned special mention for “Outstanding Performance of a Singaporean Work.” Commercial commissions include theme songs for the Taiwanese Ministry of Education Filial Piety Teaching Resource Centre and cultural festivals such as the “Ho Yeah Festival” and “Qixi Festival.” 

Apart from working with Golden Melody Award winners, lyricist Wang Zhong Yan and producer Vikung Ruljadeng, musicians and ensembles that have premiered / performed his works include Rave Harps, Ministry of Bellz and Ventus Band. Local and international choirs that have performed his works include Asia Pacific Youth Choir, Dunman High School Choir, Emajõe Laulikud, EVOKX, Formosa Singers, Hong Kong Children’s Choir, Hsinchu Philharmonic, Jugendchoraakademie, Kecskemét Festival Choir, La Maîtrise de Radio France,  Lusaka Music Society, Lux Singers, Meredith Chamber Singers (UIUC), Musica Nostra, Natus Cantorum, New York University Kodaly Summer Institute Chorus, Raffles Girls School, Spence School, Varsity Men’s Glee Club (UIUC), Taipei Male Choir, Taipei Philharmonic Youth Choir, Taipei Sängerknaben, Taiwan Festival Youth Choir, Ventus Band, YAZERS.

Albert’s composition mentors include Leong Yoon Pin, Dr. Kelly Tang, and Dr. Zechariah Goh. Albert is currently pursuing a doctorate in choral music (conducting) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) with composition as a cognate where he studied with Dr. Eli Fieldsteel (Electroacoustic Music Techniques 1 and 2), Dr. Kerry Hagen (Electroacoustic Music and Composition) and Dr. Reynold Tharp (Composition, Orchestration).

Albert is a recipient of the Illinois Distinguished Fellowship awarded by the University of Illinois. He serves on the Advisory Committee of The International Young People’s Choral Music Education Alliance (CMEA). He was awarded the professional title of Magister Chori and an honorary membership by the Association of Croatian Choral Directors. Albert is the first Singaporean musician to receive the Magyar Érdemkereszt (Hungarian Gold Cross of Merit), a state decoration conferred by the President of Hungary for his efforts in promoting classical music and the Kodaly Concept in Asia.