Composer | Producer | Pianist | Percussionist | Bass Vocalist
Media Coverage

JFund Awardee Michael Betz on the Dichotomies Between Concept and Composition

Thanks to Michael J. Cyrs for the interview and article! This is part of a series of features on JFund awardees. Read article on American Composers Forum website.

Listen (2018) Premiere

GLOBE GAZETTE ARTICLE I am so thrilled to be having my new work Listen premiered this evening by the Mason City High School Concert Choir. Commissioned by Dean Genth and Gary Swenson to address the problem of bullying, the piece has been nearly 2 years in the making. This is the most difficult compositional project...

Solo and Chamber Timpanist’s Initiative Call for Scores – Runner-Up

I’m pleased to be a runner-up in this call for scores. My work Fanfare on “Dies Irae” for 2 timpanists (9 drums) will receive a video-broadcasted performance on March 16 by the Solo and Chamber Timpanist’s Initiative. It is interesting to note that mine wasn’t the only “Dies Irae” selected–must be a popular concept!

2017 Jerome Fund for New Music Winner

I’m absolutely thrilled to have been selected as a 2017 Jerome Fund for New Music grant winner! Looking forward to creating a new work for marimba and electronics for Eri Isomura! Read more about the winners here. From the press release: “Conceptually, the work will draw from themes found in cyberpunk science fiction, focusing primarily...
Enclosure for orchestra receives Honorable Mention in 2017 Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute

Enclosure for orchestra receives Honorable Mention in 2017 Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute

I am (fittingly) honored to announce that my work for orchestra Enclosure has been awarded Honorable Mention in the 2017 Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute. For more information about the 2017 Institute, please read the official press release. Major thanks to the St. Olaf Orchestra for their fantastic premiere performance in May 2015:

Enclosure featured on Composers Circle

Today, my piece Enclosure (2014-2015) is being featured on Composers Circle!  Thank you to the St. Olaf Orchestra for their great performance!
"A Clear Midnight" Premiere - Globe Gazette Article

“A Clear Midnight” Premiere – Globe Gazette Article