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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3/03/2008
The LSU percussion ensemble
Friday I was fortunate to have my Concerto for Timpani performed at the College Music Society SuperRegional Conference at Louisiana State University. Brett Dietz conducted his percussion ensemble Hamiruge with guest soloist Shawn Galvin, principal timpanist with the Navy band in D.C. They gave an amazing performance and I want you all to know about it.
LSU is having a lot of renovations done to a building and it required the percussionists be housed across campus from the recital hall. I saw about 5 trucks make several trips to bring in the 5 timpani, 2 marimbas, vibes, chimes, and other stuff needed for my piece. Lots of schlepping for a 10 minute work. And, due to circumstance beyond everyone's control, a graduate student stepped up and learned the vibe part in about 90 minutes. My piece is, as you might have guessed, not something that comes together with 90 minutes of sight-reading time. Yet this performer was able to pull it together and give a convincing performance at, quite literally, the 11th hour.
Shawn's solo performance was amazing. He really commanded the stage, connecting with the ensemble when he should have and also ignoring the ensemble when necessary. Shawn dripped and exuded talent and musicality and I appreciated him traveling all that way to play my piece.
Anyhow, amazing performances, talented folks, a great conference overall. I had to share!
posted by Jay C. Batzner
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