Charles Betz
Composer, lyricist, arranger, writer
Telling stories with music,
in a universe of simultaneous time
Seeking collaborators for musical theater projects
February 2025: Check out "Earth Was The Dream!" - sung by the great Lia Peros, with video production by Abbey Parcellin of Radwagon Productions!
February 2025: Big news for Five Minutes On The Low Road! Josiah Thomas Turner, who I met at the Nautilus Composer-Librettist Studio, is taking over book writing! As musical theater pros know, book is hard and being a "triple threat" (doing book, lyrics, and music) is insane. As the legendary Lehmann Engel, founder of Broadway Musicals, Inc., reportedly said, "Sure, you're free to do all three. You're also free to commit suicide." I am very glad to have a partner on this project.
February 2025: It's definite, I am premiering another work with Crescendo Community Chorus on May 15, working title "River Song." This concert is in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River, headed by my good friend Whitney Clark.
November 2024 : Posted my first song from Five Minutes On The Low Road, here. Need to get a full site together for this one. It's time.
October 2024: I've been admitted to the Nautilus Composer-Librettist Studio. Big honor, didn't want to say anything until the decision. I'll be in an intensive workshop-like setting from 11/9-24, developing material for various prompts crafted by the educational team. Thanks to all who have supported me thus far!
October 2024: Just was informed that First Presbyterian Church in Evanston will be performing Wild and Precious in honor of Kay Sugiura, who sung in their choir for many years. Their music director said, "Your work will minister deeply not only to our choir, but to our congregation, and we're so grateful for the opportunity to share it in memory of Kay." This is a nice vote of confidence in the piece. They inform me:
We're planning to sing your beautiful piece as the Prelude for the service on Nov 3 @ 9:25 am (CST) - it will stream to a link on our website firstpresevanston.org
In other news, I have nearly completed the music for the first act of Five Minutes on the Low Road. Due to very badly timed Covid I was unable to attend the IANDS conference in Phoenix, which was disappointing but has not delayed my progress.
July 2024: Had a reading of my book for Five Minutes On The Low Road, with some great LA-based actors, as part of the "From Outline to Draft" NMI course with the esteemed John Sparks. Definitely pointed up some issues, but overall very supportive.
I'll be going to the International Association for Near-Death Studies annual gathering, in Phoenix in late August, for field research.
April 2024: looking for director, playwright, and actor-singers for musical about a woman who has a near-death experience, and the consequences of that. Interest in New Age spirituality a strong plus. Read more...