In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Abbie Betinis

Living in: Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Reviewed as "most audacious... edgy and thrilling," the music of Abbie Betinis (b. 1980) has been heard in some of the finest concert halls in the United States, and is enjoying growing acclaim abroad. Betinis has been commissioned by more than 40 music organizations including the American Suzuki Foundation, Cantus, Dale Warland Singers, and The Schubert Club. She holds degrees from St. Olaf College, the University of Minnesota, and has done post-graduate work at the European American Musical Alliance in Paris, France, where she studied harmony and counterpoint in the tradition of Nadia Boulanger. A McKnight Artist Fellow, Betinis has also received grants and awards from the American Composers Forum, ASCAP, the Jerome Foundation, and the Minnesota Music Educators Association. She has been Composer-in-Residence for The Schubert Club in Saint Paul since 2005, and has also held residencies with The Singers-Minnesota Choral Artists and The Rose Ensemble. A three-time cancer survivor, Abbie lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Abbie Betinis : Carols A Cappella

The most famous American Christmas carol family is undisputably the Burt family. The carols of Bates and Alfred Burt and the Christmas carol cards they sent are now part of our hymnody and folklore. Abbie Burt Betinis is the great granddaughter of Bates and grand niece of Alfred, and is continuing the tradition with freshness and craftsmanship. A noted and often commissioned composer in her own right, she brings skill and talent to this unique genre in a way no one else could. The verse and chorus form reminds us of an English carol, but the text, taken most often from other Burt family members, are very American. Enjoy this energetic carol with sacred text by John Harris Burt

Songlist: Run, Toboggan, Run, Hail, Christmas Day!, Prayer for Peace

Individual Folios

Displaying 1-8 of 8 items.

Abbie Betinis : Cedit Hyems (Be Gone, Winter!)

After an opening that evokes a confused and troubled world, this work bursts into a sweeping attempt to drive the world's coldness away in favor of love. Flute part included. Duration: Approx. 3:00 Concert recording (p) 2003 Minnesota Public Radio. Used with permission of Minnesota Public Radio and the University of Cincinnati.

Abbie Betinis : Dormi, Jesu

With homage to Bruckner and Messiaen, the gentle phrases and rich harmonies of this contemporary Latin setting will resonate throughout your performance space. Sleep, Jesus. Thy mother smiles when she sees such gentle slumber. Sleep Jesus, gently. Duration: ca. 4:40.

Abbie Betinis : Hail, Christmas Day!

Abbie Betinis : In a Far Judean City

What a delight to see the American Christmas carol traditional made famous by Alfred Burt find a new lineage through his great niece, Abbie Burt Betinis. She continues the intelligent and creative applications Alfred paved before her, but also brings an undeniable newness to the process. As Alfred often did, she uses the texts of Bates Burt (her grandfather) and sets them to music.

Abbie Betinis : Journey Home

A commissioned piece supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Target Foundation, it explores the emotional feelings of immigrants who find a new home and life in the United States. Composer Betinis artistically, and dramatically brings the text to life.

Abbie Betinis : Long Time Trav'ling

This piece is a real musical trip! Adding excitement to the choral rendition are two tenors who join in at the beginning as they ride high-flying above the choir. Reflecting the shape-note performance tradition, the composer next cleverly weaves solfege syllables into the fabric of the tunes; and in one section, we hear the distant sounds of a chain gang creating an underlay to the song. There's a whole lot happening here. Singers will love this piece.