UNLV has awarded the title "distinguished professor" to longtime music faculty member Virko Baley.
Baley, an internationally known conductor and composer, has been a member of the UNLV faculty since 1970. Among his many accomplishments has been the founding of the Nevada Symphony Orchestra.
University President Carol C. Harter will formally bestow the title on him at the 1 p.m. commencement ceremony Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
"Virko truly deserves the title of distinguished professor," Harter said. "His contributions to his students here at UNLV, to the cultural growth of Southern Nevada, and to the world of music at large are indeed impressive. He has been, and continues to be, a vital part of the music world internationally, and we are privileged to have him as a member of our faculty."
Harter named Baley a distinguished professor based on the recommendation of a university committee. The designation of distinguished professor is not made every year. The honor is granted only after very serious consideration of a highly select group of faculty. Nominees must have demonstrated extraordinary qualities both as teachers and scholars and must have achieved national and international recognition in their fields of study.
Baley's official UNLV title will now be distinguished professor of music. As part of the honor, Baley will receive a $5,000 raise.
A native of the Ukraine, Baley founded the Nevada Symphony Orchestra in 1980 and served as its music director until 1995. He also served as the music director and conductor of the Las Vegas Chamber Players and Sound Trek Series from 1974 until 1995. Today, in addition to teaching at UNLV, he is the principal guest conductor of the Kiev Camerata in the Ukraine.
Baley's compositions have included orchestral, instrumental, and vocal works. Additionally, he has composed one opera, titled Hunger. Also involved with the recording industry, Baley has served as conductor or producer on many recordings.
He has received numerous grants, commissions, and awards over the years. Among the awards have been the Shevchenko Prize in Music from the Ministry of Culture of the Ukraine in 1996, the UNLV 1996 Regents Award for Creative Activity, the Charles Vanda Award for Excellence in the Arts in 1994, the Governor of Nevada's Musician of the Year Award in 1983, and the National Society of Arts and Letters First Prize in Music in 1957.
He has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as numerous grants from the Nevada State Council on the Arts.
