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.





4/01/2009
Some foolin'

I couldn't resist pulling some gags on my students today. In theory class I told them we were going to do some sightsinging and promptly put up a page from Superscripto.. I gave them the starting B-flat and told them to watch out for the 2/12 time signature in the second measure. They panicked slightly, then realized it was a joke.

I ran out of time, but I was going to pull the ultimate theory student prank. We shifted to melodic dictation and I was going to play different subtle versions of the melody on each repetition. First in major, second in minor, third with some note tweaks, fourth on a different starting pitch, etc. Next year I'll manage time better.

Lastly, in Orchestration, I rickrolled my class. We were talking about percussion writing and I used an excerpt from Scheherazade. I know, I know, Rickrolling was last year, but it was the best I could do on short notice. The class appreciated it.

Hear it for yourself.