Abbie Betinis

Composer Abbie Betinis creates “inventive” (The New York Times), “joyful… incandescent” (Boston Globe) music that “expands into ethereal realms” (Cambridge University Press). With performances from Carnegie Hall to Disney Hall, state prisons to capitol buildings, international cathedrals to intimate summer campfires, her music transports performers and audiences alike through storytelling, relevance, and craft.

Her vast catalog, grown from her love for the human voice, includes commissions for the American Choral Directors Association, Cantus, Conspirare, Dale Warland Singers, James Sewell Ballet, LyricFest, Minnesota Music Educators Association, MUSE Cincinnati Women’s Choir, St Olaf Choir, and Young New Yorkers’ Chorus.

A frequent guest clinician, she enjoys bringing the “why” off the page and into the energy of a rehearsal. She has held residencies with the New York State School Music Association, The Singers-Minnesota Choral Artists, and The Schubert Club, and appears in the documentary films “Never Stop Singing” (2009), and “Choral Singing in America” (2023).

A two-time McKnight Artist Fellow, and recognized by Musical America for her “ability to use her talents to effect social change,” Abbie is co-founder of Justice Choir, a template for community singing and mobile advocacy. In 2017, she co-edited the Justice Choir Songbook – a resource for community transformation through singing – now used in schools, streets, prisons, faith communities, and protest movements nationwide.

Abbie studied composition at St. Olaf College (B.A.), the University of Minnesota (M.A.), and the EAMA Nadia Boulanger Institute in Paris, France. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. Read more about Abbie Betinis at www.abbiebetinis.com.


Compositions by Abbie Betinis

A Blessing of Cranes

Abbie Betinis treble choir, Difficulty : 4, piano, 5-10 min.

Blessed Be the Lord, My Rock

Abbie Betinis 3-part mixed, Difficulty : 3, a cappella, organ, piano, 3-5 min.

Carmina mei cordis (SATB)

Abbie Betinis mixed choir, Difficulty : 4, a cappella, 5-10 min.

Carol of the Stranger

Abbie Betinis mixed choir, Difficulty : 3, a cappella, less than 3 min.

Chant for Great Compassion

Abbie Betinis treble choir, Difficulty : 4, a cappella, 5-10 min.

In the Bleak Midwinter (arr.) (SATB)

Abbie Betinis mixed choir, Difficulty : 3, 1-2 instruments, piano, 5-10 min.

In the Bleak Midwinter (arr.) (SSAA)

Abbie Betinis treble choir, Difficulty : 3, piano, 5-10 min.

Lumen

Abbie Betinis 3-part mixed, mixed choir, treble choir, Difficulty : 2, a cappella, 3-5 min., less than 3 min.

Morning Round/Awake, Awake, Ye Sleepers

Abbie Betinis 3-part mixed, tb choir, mixed choir, treble choir, Difficulty : 1, a cappella, 3-5 min.

Peace with Me Now (High voice)

Abbie Betinis high voice, Difficulty : 2, piano, 3-5 min.

Peace with Me Now (Low voice)

Abbie Betinis low voice, Difficulty : 2, piano, 3-5 min.

The Clan of the Lichens (cycle)

Abbie Betinis high voice, Difficulty : 5, piano, 10+ min.

The Prayer Wind (from The Clan of the Lichens)

Abbie Betinis high voice, Difficulty : 4, piano, 3-5 min., less than 3 min.

Touch Hands: A Table Grace

Abbie Betinis 3-part mixed, tb choir, mixed choir, treble choir, Difficulty : 2, a cappella, 3-5 min.

i carry your heart with me (SATB)

Abbie Betinis mixed choir, Difficulty : 3, a cappella, 3-5 min.

1: (Easy) No divisi in voice parts, accompaniment doubles or supports vocal parts, diatonic, symmetrical phrases, textures mostly homophonic, simple rhythms, stepwise voice leading (conjunct), moderate ranges, no extended techniques, and limited sustained singing.

2: (Medium Easy) Limited divisi, voices somewhat independent from accompaniment, some chromatics, phrases may be longer or more fragmented, mostly homophonic, moderate rhythmic complexity, some difficult intervals (disjunct motion), moderate ranges, extended techniques are simple, limited sustained singing.

3. (Medium) Limited divisi, unaccompanied, or with independent accompaniment (voice parts not doubled), many chromatics, phrases of varying lengths, more contrapuntal textures, moderately complex rhythms, some difficult intervals (disjunct motion), moderately difficult/challenging ranges, extended techniques are potentially challenging, and some sustained singing.

4. (Medium Difficult) Abundant divisi, unaccompanied, or accompanying instruments are fully independent from voice parts, many chromatics and/or key changes, long and/or broken phrases, potentially little homophony, complex rhythms, many difficult intervals (disjunct motion), difficult/challenging ranges, potentially difficult extended techniques, and a demand for sustained singing.

5. (Difficult) Adundant divis, unaccompanied, or accompanying instruments are fully independent from voice parts, many chromatics and/or key changes, long and/or broken phrases, potentially little homophony, complex rhythms, extreme ranges, use of challenging or unusual extended vocal techniques, abundant sustained singing.