Junior Monica Mitzel will give a flute recital on Sunday, Feb. 15. The free recital will take place at 3:00 p.m. in Christ Chapel.
Mitzel, a music education major from Rapid City, S.D., is a member of the Northwestern College Symphonic Band. She is also a member of the Woodwind Quintet, Symphonette, the Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra, the Iowa Collegiate Honor Band and the College Band Directors National Association North Central Division Intercollegiate Honor Band. Mitzel currently studies under flute instructor Sue De Haan.
Four pieces will be on Sunday afternoon’s program. Mitzel will perform Inspiration by David Baker, Concerto by Jacques Ibert, Sonata in A minor for Flute Solo by C.P.E. Bach and Suite for Flute and Piano by Claude Bolling. She is most looking forward to the work by Ibert.
“It’s a major piece of work,” said Mitzel. “It’s technically challenging, musically challenging, but for the listener it provides a lot of interesting contrast…I’ve wanted to do it since high school.”
Three other musicians will be performing alongside Mitzel. Staff accompanist Lori Vande Brake will work with her on the first two pieces, while she will be accompanied by junior Andy Keller on piano, junior Jeff Postma on bass and freshman Titus Landegent on the trap set during the last piece.
“Her chipper attitude and good leadership make for fun rehearsals, and I’m looking forward to performing with her,” said Landegent. “Monica rocks my face off.”
Mitzel has been preparing for the performance since the beginning of the summer. She says the preparations have been strenuous at times, but also fun and worth the effort. The nervousness she used to have about the recital has now turned into excitement.
“My rehearsals have been going well, and I’m just going to go out there and do my best,” she said.
Contrary to tradition, Mitzel will be giving a recital during her junior and senior years at NW. Typically, music majors will give only one recital. The extra performance will give Mitzel an extra challenge and the chance to have more music recorded for graduate school applications.
She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in either conducting or flute performance.
