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.
Hey everyone, Vox Novus is in the finals for voting on ideablob for their online submission process proposal. Lots of us probably write for and attend the 60x60 concerts and want to help them out.
So I got a little "free money" and I spent it on Elliott Carter scores. My freshman theory class would clearly put their hands in L shapes on their foreheads if it was still cool to do that.
Anyhow, I got a great deal on the hard bound collection of string quartets. I saw it everywhere else for $90 but found it at Compumusic for significantly less. I'll be happy when it gets here.
Ok, I'm happy now, but I'll be happier when the box arrives.
posted by Jay C. Batzner
3/20/2008
I should have posted this yesterday...
To celebrate the 5 year anniversary of the Iraq War, here is a musical tribute that surfaced about 2 years ago.
The band is the Asylum Street Spankers. It will most likely offend you.
posted by Jay C. Batzner
3/17/2008
Plans within plans
Well, last week qualifies as one of the Worst Weeks Ever, but I'm getting out of it. Some things get better on their own, others you have to grab and shake until they turn positive. This is me grabbing and shaking.
I had a successful recital earlier this month and you can hear a recording of Throb for marimba duo on my website. The bigger news is the acceptance of Carnival Daring-Do, the video collaboration with Carla Poindexter, to the Palm Beach International and Fresno Film Festivals. We have also made it to the final round of the High Falls Film Festival, with this interesting tidbit:
"There was an interesting split among our viewers. Some complained that the sound was unpleasant, harsh, and annoying. Others liked the music and sound effects and felt that both fit the film well."
While I would never shun universal support, I always like it when my music is more...divisive? I've been a polarizer in other music settings, always unintentionally, and I have to admit that it makes me smile. I remember showing the same piece to 4 composers at a series of master classes. Two liked it quite a bit, two thought it was absolute garbage. Another time, the deliberations for a contest (done after a concert of the competing works) went on unusually long. I found out later that my piece was the culprit. Some supported it strongly, others dismissed it. I ended up with nothing but knowing I had caused a small scandal.
It fits my personality, I think, to be in that position. I like doing what I do and I never intend to shock or cause controversy. Sometimes my stuff makes people react. That is all I want: honest reaction. Positive, negative, I have no control over that.
posted by Jay C. Batzner
3/05/2008
More gushing about performers
Last night I was fortunate to have my first faculty recital. I programmed 6 pieces, about an hour of music, equal parts acoustic and electroacoustic. Things went off without a hitch and it had very little to do with me. What always impresses me is how many people are so giving of their time and talents in order to perform my music. The performers last night were great and they did my music a great service with their performances.
Keith Koons and Laurent Boukobza performed my clarinet sonatina from about 10 years ago. Jeff Moore and Kirk Gay gave the premiere of Throb for marimba duo, breaking in their brand new Malletech marimba that was in a box yesterday morning. John Almeida played my solo trumpet piece Pioneer X and was very detail oriented and specific in mute choices and the drama of the piece.
You probably don't know these performers, but you should. I am fortunate to have such generous colleagues.
posted by Jay C. Batzner
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
