Performer Blogs@Sequenza21.com

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.





3/18/2009
Mark Snyder

Last night, Mark Snyder did his one man, three instruments, one laptop, and a video projector show on campus. The concert went well, Mark is a good guy and easy to work with, and it was fun just hanging out with him for a few hours.

Mark's music uses a lot of live electronics and video but the musical language is very straightforward and tonal. It is a great mixture, in my opinion. Some students around here are put off by anything electronic (other than in pop music, which seems odd to me) but Mark's style is very approachable and ambient. And, like I said before, dripping with tonality. Most people I know who work with complex computer interfaces deal in abstract atonality as well. It was refreshing to be reminded that the two things don't have to go together.

The ambient nature of Mark's music got me thinking. I think his direction is one that makes sense to me. I should try a similar approach, make it my own, and see what happens. Go to his website and check out the video pieces Harvey and Alluvium. You'll see what I mean.