Jay C. Batzner is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida where he teaches theory, composition, and technology courses as well as coordinates the composition program. He holds degrees in composition and/or theory from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, the University of Louisville, and the University of Kansas.
Jay's music is primarily focused around instrumental chamber works as well as electroacoustic composition. His music has been recorded on the Capstone, Vox Novus, and Beauport Classical labels and is published by Unsafe Bull Music.
Jay is a sci-fi geek, an amateur banjoist, a home brewer, and juggler.
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1/27/2007
Out there
I remember sitting in an audience at a new music festival where I struck up conversation with one of the other guest composers. We were talking about self-publishing and I mentioned that I just needed to sit down and finalize the pdfs of my scores so I could get them up on the website. The other composer was a bit shocked that I would put entire scores up on the web for free.
"You don't want your music just 'out there,' do you?" he asked.
"Why not?" I responded.
"You have to have some kind of control over your stuff," was his reply.
That was about 4 years ago. I'm still not sure what that guy meant. Why wouldn't I want my music 'out there?' What is the benefit to keeping my music "in here?" Granted, Unsafe Bull Music does not have the best distribution network in the world. And, as 50% of their clientele, I get a lot of personal attention. And since I make all of the decisions I have no objections to their practices. I recently changed the copyright statement to read: Unauthorized Photocopying and Distribution is Highly Encouraged.
So sure, if someone wants to download my score for free, print it themselves, and (gasp) perform it, I am not going to charge them. If they want printed materials, I will charge an amount for time, materials and handling. That seems fair. Otherwise, royalties are enough for me. It was more than I was making otherwise...
posted by Jay C. Batzner
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