Jay C. Batzner (b. 1974) is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida where he teaches music composition and technology courses as well as coordinates the composition program. In his first year, Jay received two prestigious grants: one to create collaborative works with visual artist Carla Poindexter and the second to initiate electroacoustic music concerts in Orlando. Prior to this position, Jay was an active adjunct professor at several colleges in the Kansas City area while he completed his D.M.A. in Composition at the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory. While at UMKC, Jay received honors including a Distinguished Dissertation Fellowship and a Dean's Doctoral Scholar Fellowship.
Jay's music ranges from instrumental chamber works to electroacoustic compositions. He has participated in numerous national and international festivals including the Wellesley Composers Conference and the International Young Composers' Meeting in the Netherlands. His music is published by Unsafe Bull Music and has been recorded on the Capstone and Vox Novus labels. Jay is a frequent contributor to the new music website Sequenza21.com and a founding member of the composers organization The Collected.
Jay is a sci-fi geek, an amateur banjoist, a home brewer, and juggler.
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2/17/2006
Support Group
I'm thinking of starting a support group for folks applying for academic positions. The process is at times depressing and frustrating and euphoric. It is easy to think that you'll never get a job and the whole idea of a doctorate was a waste of time. Sometimes you look at your c.v. and think you are pretty hot stuff. Sometimes you look at it and think you are a pathetic loser. Getting to the second round of a position is a rush. But the waiting is the hardest part (someone should write a song like that).
I have a couple of buddies that are in similar positions. We are all finishing our doctorates this semester. There have been a LOT of gigs our there (I lost count after 50). My friends and I know that this round of jobs is going to go to those of you who ALREADY have jobs. Once you all leave your posts for higher ground, my friends and I will pick up the slack. Come May, when some of these schools get desperate, my buddies and I will seem pretty hot.
It would just be nice if desperation wasn't a factor in getting hired.
So, I'm thinking of starting a support group. We can talk about the process. The highs. The lows. Compare notes and strategies. We can offer moral support to those who are the dark side of the process.
Anyone interested? Just stand up and say:
"Hello. My name is (whatever your name is). I'm applying for academic music positions."
posted by Jay C. Batzner
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