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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1/06/2009
Best of 2008
Okay, I need a little time to look over the last year and see what was really the best. There were a lot of cool things going on, but some were more meaningful to me. In no particular order:
Discworld. I am a sci-fi geek, but not much on fantasy. A few people had, from time to time, asked me if I had read any of Terry Pratchet's Discworld books. On a whim, I picked one up over the summer and I can't believe I lived so long before experiencing these books! I've torn through about half a dozen of them in the last half of this year. I'm petitioning my wife to celebrate Hogswatch instead of Christmas. We'll see what traction that gets in '09.
Carnival Daring-Do. My video collaboration with Carla Poindexter has become my most performed composition, having been screened about 15 times since March. It is rather astonishing to me. I've not had something like this happen with a piece before. I've jokingly said that I want to be a "one hit wonder" composer. I wonder if I am. Like Berlioz.
Buddhism. Again, this summer I read some books on Buddhist philosophy. Very interesting stuff and, to me, quite an appealing way to look at the world.
Go. I didn't play as much as I hoped I would, but I'm learning the game and I really like it. It is a world that I want to explore more, and hope to in 2009.
Moving the TV out of the living room, reducing Netflix down to the minimum. My wife and I have better things to do than just sit and watch stuff. Like talk, read, play games, or just sit and listen to stuff.
Those are the highlights of the year. Substitute your own as needed. And I'm only kidding about Berlioz. I like two of his pieces.
posted by Jay C. Batzner
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