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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10/18/2007
EMM Wrap Up (eventually)
Okay, last weekend was a whirlwind in the middle of a whirlwind and in front of a typhoon before a tsunami (I've been busy). One of the highlights of the last 10 days has been grading my freshman theory midterms. I figured I'd blog about something else, though, namely Electronic Music Midwest.
I was very pleased with how the festival turned out. There were very few tech glitches (although I did notice that everyone with a tech glitch and/or restart was using Windows) and things seemed well received. I got a lot of positive feedback on my programming, which made me feel good because that is the only real thing that I do for the festival. I'm not much of a live sound tech guy to be of assistance during the festival proper (more the strong back/weak mind).
The two big highlights for me were Noah Keesecker's ToneGoblin video and Kevin Kissinger's theremin smack-down "Three Legged Race." I wish I could show you all ToneGoblin because it is one of the strongest and most manic three minute video pieces I've ever seen. Lots of fun and well worth every nanosecond. Kevin Kissinger has his piece up on his website for free download, so I don't feel bad putting it here. The opening piano bar is for reference and the rest is done live with 10 second loops on his laptop. The bass notes of a high quality theremin are amazing. I hadn't expected them to be so rich and full. Three Legged Race
Also ranking on the "very cool" scale was the video "Song Cycle for Haruki Murakami." Matt Dotson and Bart Woodstrup made an elegant, simple, yet engaging and moving video using essentially basic words. The poetry of the words and the video and the music was just spot on. Lesser artists would have tried to do more. Angela Veomett's "Eve Song," which I've seen a few times at other places, is also powerful yet simple. Her soprano, Jessica Petrus, has the perfect blend of angelic-yet-not-so-innocent in her voice and Angela's video is a very striking and masterful juxtaposition of images.
Out of 2.5 days and 9 concerts, there was only 1 piece that I really hated. That isn't too shabby. My piece was fine, not my favorite, but I liked it that day.
posted by Jay C. Batzner
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