Dr. McCray holds a bachelor’s degree in bassoon performance and a master’s degree in orchestral conducting from Northwestern University, where he studied with Robert Barris and Victor Yampolsky. Additionally, he studied with Bernard Garfield, former principal bassoon of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and earned a master’s degree in bassoon performance from Temple University. In 2007, Dr. McCray completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Michigan State University, where he studied the bassoon with Michael Kroth. He has served on the faculties of Baylor University, Western Michigan University, Albion College, and the University of Michigan-Flint; has held positions with the symphony orchestras of Battle Creek (MI), Lansing (MI), Waco (TX), Allentown (PA), and Haddonfield (NJ); and has performed extensively with the Grand Rapids (MI) Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Opera Delaware, and the Pennsylvania Ballet.

    An advocate of contemporary music, Dr. McCray has appeared as both bassoonist and conductor on the Northwestern University Contemporary Music Series, and he conducted two premieres at the Chicago Composers’ Festival in 2000. In 2002, he was a guest performer with the widely-acclaimed Relâche Ensemble, in Philadelphia. His recording of M. William Karlins’ Four Inventions and a Fugue, for bassoon, piano, and female voice (on Hungaroton Records) received praise from numerous critics. In 2006, he appeared as a guest performer in contemporary music concerts at the University of Indianapolis and the Colorado College Summer Music Festival.

     Recent performances of note include the regional premiere of Dan Welcher's Concerto da Camera for bassoon and small orchestra, a performance with the UNL Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Tyler White. Additionally, Dr. McCray joined Indianapolis Symphony bassoonist Samuel Banks for a performance of Sofia Gubaidulina's Duo-Sonata for two bassoons at the 2007 Conference of the International Double-Reed Society in Ithaca, NY.