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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2/01/2008
No.
I've mentioned before that I'm okay with rejection. Yes, it bums me out, but I understand it and don't take it too personally. My latest gripe about rejection, though, is that many opportunities I've sent things to do not send me a rejection letter. WTF? I put a considerable amount of time into printing scores, making a CD, writing a grant proposal, whatever. The least they could do is put together a friggin' mail merge and slap a letter in the mail. Or a bulk email with "thanks, but no thanks."
I crave closure. I sent in a proposal for an opportunity in August. The guidelines say that notification of awards would be on January 31. Well, today is February. No email, no mail, no nothing. I assume that I didn't get selected. Is it so hard for them to tell me themselves? Another opportunity didn't have a hard deadline but I did find out when they wanted things to happen. By now, I should have heard something. I'm pretty sure that means that they are not interested in my work, but again, nothing definite.
When I was applying for jobs, I was amazed at the number of positions that just never contacted me. My applications would fall into a void and, after filling out the AA/EOE form, I would simply never hear from them again. At least 20% of my job applications (10 out of 50) ended with absolutely nothing. That, my friends, is rude and inexcusable. People work hard in creating applications and portfolios. Respect that and tell them "Thank you for applying. We aren't interested at this time."
I think if you are going to offer an opportunity, a performance, or a job, the very least you can do is tell everyone of their status when a decision has been reached. No, we aren't going to perform your music. No, you did not get this commission. No, you did not get this job. It doesn't have to be cutesy, like Anti-Social Music's rejection letters (mine came with a jambalaya recipe) or insightful like my rejection from Frogpeak a few years back. A simple, single sentence rejection letter is fine with me. It shows that you cared about the time and effort that went into my proposal, even if it isn't what you wanted.
posted by Jay C. Batzner
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