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^ TopFormer Executive of IAJE
Copyright © 2002
Betton Matt Betton was credited with building up the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) in the formative years of the original organisation, then known as the National Association of Jazz Educators.
He graduated from Kansas State University in 1938, he led his own dance band, the Matt Betton Orchestra, in the midwest from 1933-73.
His work in education has been widely rcognised with a series of honous, inclduing the title of Executive Director Emeritus of the IAJE, an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in Boston, the Kansas State University Alumni Medallion Award, induction into the Hall of Fame for the International Association for Jazz Education, Kansas Music Educators Association, and Kansas State University Music Service Guild, and the IAJE Humanitarian Award.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Betton; a sister, Sue Shurtz, three children, Linda Tippett, Martha Stitzel, and Matt Betton, Jr, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A memorial celebrating Matt's life will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2003, at the IAJE International Conference in Toronto, Canada. IAJE and the Kansas State University Foundation will also schedule a memorial celebration in the Spring of 2003 at the KSU Alumni Center in Manhattan, KS.
The family asks that notes of condolence and letters containing memories of Matt be sent to Betty Betton, c/o Linda Tippett, 1725 Yucca Ct., Fort Collins, CO 80525. Memorial contributions can be made to the IAJE Matt Betton Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 724, Manhattan, KS 66505, or to the KSU Foundation Matt Betton Scholarship Fund, 2323 Anderson Rd., Suite 500, Manhattan, KS 66502.
JJA members are invited to submit a full obituary or appreciation.