Beebe Freitas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beebe Freitas
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Beatrice Pauline Botty |
| Born | August 28, 1938 Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | February 17, 2018 (aged 79) Aina Haina, Hawaii |
| Occupation(s) | Head of Music – Hawaii Opera Theatre |
| Years active | 1954–2018 |
Beebe Freitas (born August 28, 1938 – died February 17, 2018) was an amazing American musician. She was a talented pianist, an organist (someone who plays the organ), a vocal coach (who helps singers improve), and a teacher. She was also the Head of Music for the Hawaii Opera Theatre, which is a big opera company in Hawaii.
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About Beebe Freitas
Beebe Freitas was born Beatrice Pauline Botty in Youngstown, Ohio. Her father, John Botty, was a pastor who came from Hungary and became a US citizen. Her mother, Pauline Botty, was a leader and professor at Youngstown State University and also a lawyer. Beebe married Lewis P. Freitas in 1964. They had two children, Roslyn and John.
Beebe was very smart and talented from a young age. In 1954, when she was still in high school, she won a special scholarship to Oberlin College in Ohio. She studied piano there and earned her first degree in 1958. She then went to Boston University and got a Master of Music degree in 1959, focusing on playing piano for others. She continued her studies at the famous Juilliard School in New York City until 1962, where she learned from many great musicians.
In 1966, Beebe and her husband moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. There, she became the Head of Music for the Hawaii Opera Theatre. She also played the organ for a church and a school, and she taught music privately. Beebe Freitas passed away at her home in Aina Haina, Hawaii, on February 17, 2018.
Her Musical Journey
Starting Out
Beebe Freitas started her professional music career early. In 1955, she performed with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. While studying at Boston University, she worked as a rehearsal pianist for famous conductors like Charles Munch, who led the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 1959, she even performed as a soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, led by Arthur Fiedler.
During her time at Juilliard, from 1959 to 1962, she was the pianist for choir rehearsals. She also took part in the very first performance at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, which is a huge place for shows. For the next four years, she was a rehearsal pianist for several choirs and worked with the New York Philharmonic orchestra. She helped prepare for performances led by famous conductors like Leonard Bernstein. She also played piano for recordings.
Music in Hawaii
After moving to Honolulu, Beebe taught music to students and played the organ at a church. In 1972, she joined the University of Hawaii Music Department. She taught piano, helped students with accompanying, worked with choirs, and coached opera and music theater groups.
Beebe started working with the Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) in 1972 as a rehearsal pianist. She was a key person in helping HOT become its own separate company, no longer just part of the Honolulu Symphony. She took on many important roles there, including rehearsal pianist, vocal coach, and eventually the Head of Music.
Beebe performed in many concerts with famous musicians like Yo-Yo Ma (a cellist) and Frederica von Stade (an opera singer). She played keyboard instruments with the Honolulu Symphony for 30 years. She also performed with many smaller music groups in Hawaii. Beebe recorded music for albums, including for the singer Rosemary Clooney. She also helped lead several music organizations in Honolulu.
Awards and Special Recognition
Beebe Freitas received many awards for her contributions to music:
- 2014: 'Oahu Choral Society – Dale R. Noble Award (for helping choral music in Hawaii)
- 2005: Hawaii Arts Alliance – Alfred Preis Award
- 2003: Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii – Living Treasures of Hawaii (a special honor for people who have greatly helped Hawaii)
- 2002: National Society of Arts and Letters, Honolulu Chapter – Roselani Medallion Honoree
- Award from the City and County of Honolulu Commission on Culture and the Arts
- 1983: YWCA of 'Oahu Leadership Honoree
See also
- Hawaii Arts Alliance – Alfred Preis Award
- Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii – Living Treasures of Hawaii
- YWCA Building (Honolulu, Hawaii)
