His compositional output includes two operas, two symphonies, two piano concertos, three string quartets, many songs and choral pieces, and other orchestral and chamber works.
[1] Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Betts began his musical training in his native city with W.H.
He also studied with Ernst Krenek, Alan Rawsthorne, and Roy Harris during the summers of 1950-1953.
[1] Betts served as the music director of St Paul's Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ontario from 1950-1964.
He was married to contralto Jean Macleod, notably serving as her accompanist on three commercial recordings.