2000 Commissioned Composer
Betty Bertaux is the founder of the Children’s Chorus of Maryland for which she was Artistic Director for its first eleven years. Regarded as an authority on vocal and music development in children, in the summer of 2001 she was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Music Education from Vandercook College of Music, Chicago, for her contribution to the field of choral music education. Dr. Bertaux also holds the degree of Master of Music with Kodály Emphasis from Holy Names College, Oakland, the degree of Master of Music in Composition from the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University, Houston, and a Certificate of Study with Dr. Edwin E. Gordon in Music Learning Theory from Temple University, Philadelphia. A former faculty member of Peabody Conservatory and Holy Names College, she has just completed her twentieth year as a member of Vandercook College of Music’s summer MECA faculty. Professionally active for 40 years, Dr. Bertaux has worked with music students of all ages and, along with her continued interest in working with young singers, is currently active in teacher training. She is also internationally established and frequently commissioned as a composer and arranger of music for treble choirs. Her music is published by Alliance Music Publishers, Houston, TX and she is editor of the Betty Bertaux Choral Series published by Boosey & Hawkes, New York. Having trained and conducted children’s choirs of all skill levels, she is widely experienced as a guest conductor and choral adjudicator. Her successful career has been built on the belief that a children’s choral director can guide young singers toward a life enriched by music through an instructive, artistic and joyful singing experience.
The Gift of Song—commissioned for YNS in 2000
