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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8/18/2007
5th Festival of Contemporary Music - initial report
I'm in San Francisco for the 5th Festival of Contemporary music. I had an all-day faculty shoot-out on Thursday so I was unable to get to Thursday's concert (which featured, among others, the Collected's superstar Philip Scheussler). Mike McFerron, of EMM fame, is also on the ground and on tonight's concert. I know or have met at least 50% of the folks at this festival at previous things, which is one of the first times that has happened. Cool.
While I didn't get to hear the music, I still have reports to give. Last night I met up with Philip, Adam Fong, the Collected's local representative, and a bass clarinet/composer friend of Philip's whose name is escaping me at the moment (jet lag). We went to the Stinking Rose, a touristy garlic-themed restaurant, then we grabbed some pastry a few blocks up and talked. It was great. I was exhausted from all-day plane travel and it was great unwinding and talking shop with the guys last night.
The hotel is probably the biggest news. It is nice and close to everything, but leaves many amenities to the imagination. No phone (I don't have a cell), internet only in the lobby, the doorknob to my bathroom fell off, etc. It has all the charm of a Soviet bloc dorm room. At least it has its own bathroom and is within walking distance of damned near everything. The bed is comfy, which is also a plus. I'm not spending a lot of time in there, so it is a minor detail at best.
Today, I'm meeting up with McFerron and hitting the town. The gang last night told me that Amoeba Music is a must, so I must. I'm looking forward to the concert tonight. If you are in the area, swing by. I'll report more when I have more.
posted by Jay C. Batzner
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