I will perform Julius Eastman's work for two voices, "Our Father," with Harrison Hintzsche, baritone, as part of Zeitgeist's 8th Annual Early Music Festival. Zeitgeist’s 8th Annual Early Music Festival explores the powerful contributions of our musical pioneers with a celebration of African American minimalist composer Julius Eastman. Eastman’s vibrant, virtuosic, and rhythmically aggressive music, and the racially and sexually charged nature of his work challenged the musical establishment and anti-establishment alike in the 1970s and 1980s, greatly impacting the trajectory of American minimalism. Lost after his death in 1990, Eastman’s music has been recently recovered is asserting its influence once again. -- zeitgeistnemusic.org

My composition for SATB choir and piano, Listen (2018), will be premiered by the Mason City High School Concert Choir under the direction of Joel Everist. The work was commissioned by Dean Genth and Gary Swenson to address the issue of bullying. More information coming in a detailed post as the premiere date draws nearer.

I will be performing jazz standards over the lunch hour.

I'm opening for Comets Ov Cupid for the final night of their June residency at Grumpy's Downtown. From the Facebook event: Comets Ov Cupid will be spacing out Grumpy's this June. Each Saturday June 2-23. Comets will share the bill with a different music group or project each night. This is music for the coming Aeon Ov Change! Sounds and lights to realign your mind. June 2 10:30 Thunderbolt Pagoda / 11:30 Comets Ov Cupid June 9 10:30 Beach Mountain / 11:30 Comets Ov Cupid June 16 10:30 IOSIS / 11:30 Comets Ov Cupid June 23 10:30 Michael Betz / 11:30 Comets Ov Cupid

I will be performing jazz standards over the lunch hour.

I'm sharing the bill with American Cream, Paul Metzger, and Psychomantic the Ritual Death Cult. RSVP on Facebook

My latest art song, A Purple Ravelling, with text by Athena Kildegaard, will be premiered at the opening concert of the fifth annual Source Song Festival by Alan Dunbar, baritone and Mary Jo Gothmann, piano. More information and tickets available here.

RSVP on Facebook Flutist Joshua Weinberg presents his last public performance (for awhile) in Minnesota before moving to New York City to pursue a Master's in Contemporary Flute Performance at Manhattan School of Music. Assisted by Michael Betz, piano. For friends outside of Minnesota there will be a Facebook LIVESTREAM! Program: D’un matin de Printemps - Lili Boulanger (1893-1918) First Lines - Amy Williams (b. 1969) Kokopelli - Katherine Hoover (b. 1937) Pastorela - William Grant Still (1895-1978) Intermission East Wind - Shulamit Ran (b. 1949) Suite op. 34, for flute and piano - Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)

I will be performing jazz standards over the lunch hour.

RSVP on Facebook Aros E-V :: Delightful Tape Delusions https://aros-ev.bandcamp.com/ Adam Biel :: Subtle Drone Subterfuge https://adambiel.bandcamp.com/ Michael Betz :: Luminous Synth Concoctions https://michaelbetzmusic.com/improvisations/ Markov Changes :: Noise/Improv Chicanery https://markovchanges.bandcamp.com/ Other acts TBA

RSVP on Facebook House show! College composer friends Jack Langdon and Adam Sanders will be visiting from Chicago and performing as a duo, after which George Snow and I will join them for some free improvisation. Suggested $5 donation for touring performers.

I will be performing some jazz standards, original tunes, and arrangements of holiday tunes. It will be the perfect ambiance for having a cup of coffee and catching up with friends while home for the holidays!