Local College Students Get in on the Act with Mnozil Brass

It’s all about the Brass this Sunday, February 25 at Knight Theater, when student musicians from Davidson College and Winthrop University get a chance to perform alongside Mnozil Brass, the one-of-a-kind Viennese musical act known for its zany performances.

“I was pretty thrilled when I heard they were coming right to our backyard,” says Dr. Douglas Black, Jr., who directs Winthrop University’s student Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, which will be performing during intermission.

Black says when most of his students imagine careers in music, they envision traditional paths like teaching, or as members of an orchestra or military band. But a show like Mnozil Brass is a rare opportunity to see top-notch musicians perform in an unexpected way.

“I hope it opens their eyes to new performance possibilities,” says Black.

Davidson College Freshman Max Rollfinke, a trumpet player, is also looking forward to performing with his school’s Brass Quintet before Mnozil Brass takes the stage.

“[It’s] inspiring for me and the group to play in this place where mostly professional musicians perform,” says Rollfinke.

Pictured (from left to right): Davidson College Brass Quintet members Max Rollfinke (trumpet), EJ Canny (horn), Matthew Kennedy (tuba), Henry Brooks (trombone) and Nathan Rudman (trumpet).

Eric Keith, Director of Music Production and Promotion at Davidson College, appreciates the strong relationship the music department has developed with Blumenthal and local professional musicians from the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, some of whom teach or perform on campus. But he and Winthrop’s Black agree it is often tricky to get students, who may not have cars or extra money for tickets, to make the trek uptown to see a show.

“This is going to be a fantastic opportunity for the ensemble not only to perform but to see this group,” says Keith.

For Black, an Adjunct Professor of Music at Winthrop, having his students connect with the Charlotte community is essential. “Any chance we have to do a local performance like this one at Blumenthal, we jump on it,” he says. “I try to get us out of our academic bubble. It’s easy to get comfortable in these walls.”

If you’re headed to the show this weekend, expect to hear a variety of selections from these two student groups, spanning Renaissance and transcribed orchestral music to jazz and more contemporary pieces.

For tickets or more info, click here.