Biography
SHORT BIO
Nicholas Mroczek
Nicholas Mroczek received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theory/Composition and Vocal Music Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2007. Nick’s compositions have been performed by groups ranging from the Hermantown 7th grade choir to the UMD Opera Theatre to the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. In part with an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Grant, his first opera, “Evelyn”, received its premiere by the UMD Opera Theatre under his direction. He currently resides in Minneapolis where he continues to compose.
BIO
Nicholas Mroczek grew up in southwestern Michigan in the small town of Marcellus. After graduating from Marcellus High School in 2002, he moved to Duluth, Minnesota to attend the University of MN Duluth emphasizing on music composition. As a member of both the University Singers and Concert Chorale, he was exposed to a wide variety of music. Nick composed She Walks In Beauty for his 1st semester of voice lessons which was received with great warmth. He continued to compose songs for lessons throughout his college career. In the spring of 2003 he composed Quiet Night Thoughts. In the fall of 2003, with the advice of his professor, he combined them as “Two Songs for Tenor” and submitted them to the MENC National Convention Young Composers Competition which he was then selected as a finalist for the upcoming convention in 2004. The following spring Nick was awarded first place in the Paula Nelson Young Composers Competition. As a result his piece To my flock. I have lost my way was performed by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra at their annual children’s concert.
In May of 2005, Nick had his first opportunity to hear a commissioned work performed. The Duluth Central High School Choralaires director, Marcia VanCamp, had approached him earlier that year to compose a piece for the ensemble. As the date approached, he was able to meet and work with the group. As a result of those interactions, Nick was asked to direct the premiere of the piece at the upcoming concert.
Throughout much of the next year, Nick spent a lot of his time participating in ensembles, adding Vocal Music Education to degree list, and preparing for his upcoming senior recital. Drawing on the talents of his friends and classmates, he pieced together a recital of original works, “Vibrations from My Mind.” Utilizing Weber Music Halls acoustic possibilities, Nick was able to liven the hall for the second portion of his concert. His Vesper for two pianos was performed as well as Nocturne for flute, performed by Sheila Tabor, for whom he composed it. Other highlights from the recital were The Parsnip performed by Eryn Tvete and “Songs on the Holy Sonnets of John Donne” performed by himself.
Nick Mroczek, Eryn Tvete
After a unique set of circumstances, word got out that Nick had been slowly working on concepts for an opera. Again, with the encouragement of professors and classmates, he applied for an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program grant in order to study production and composition of contemporary American opera. The grant allowed him, along with the UMD Opera Theatre class, to premiere his chamber opera, Evelyn. The premiere took place at UMD’s Weber Musical Hall in April of 2007 with Nick conducting. The character of Evelyn was sung by Megan Habiger, Gene by Nathan Herfindahl, and Sarah by Amy Hagensen. Along with the performance of the opera, He was able to meet with composer Libby Larsen and discuss the creation of American opera.
During the spring semester of 2007, his final semester at UMD, Nick was asked to compose a piece for the University Singers to perform. After very little thought, since none was needed, he finished work on The Night has a Thousand Eyes. He was able to prepare and direct the piece on the choirs Tour of Turkey that following May. The Night has a Thousand Eyes received honorable mention in the 2007 Roger Wagner Contemporary Choral Composition Competition.
After graduating UMD with a Bachelors in Music emphasizing in Music Theory/Composition and Vocal Music Education, Nick moved to Minneapolis and began working at MakeMusic, Inc. That fall, Marcia VanCamp approached him again asking for a new piece of music. He immediately set out to compose Remember for the Duluth High School Little Mob. The piece was premiered in January 2008.
Recent compositions include Afternoon on a Hill performed by the UMD University Singers in 2009, Up-Hill performed at the 2010 UMD Composition Alumni concert by a close group of friends, Reflection #1: on the tenderness of leaving performed by the Gichigami Trio, and And Peace Will Come to You performed by Rachel Inselman and Marcus McConico.