Charles City Singers begin season under new direction

To The Press

The Charles City Singers will kick off their fall season with their first rehearsal on Monday, Sept. 11, from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. in the high school vocal music room, and continue weekly on Monday evenings.

This year the group will be under new leadership with Charles City native Tim J. Mitchell directing the ensemble.

Mitchell is a retired 34-year veteran Iowa high school vocal music and musical theater director. During that tenure, he co-built strong programs in three schools: South Winneshiek (Calmar), Waukon High School and Union Community Schools (LaPorte City), according to information from the Singers, and he has directed 40 full scale musicals at the high school, community and semi-professional level.

Mitchell was also very active in the Iowa High School Speech Association where 32 of Union Community’s 37 musical theater entries under his co-guidance were named All-State, earning the Critic’s Choice Banner 3 times.

Mitchell is a 1987 graduate of Luther College and a member of the Charles City High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame, Iowa High School Music Association Teacher Tenure Award Winner, the 2022/2023 NFHS Iowa Outstanding Theatre Educator and a recipient of the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards Impact Award.

In retirement, he has stayed active as a judge for the Iowa High School Speech Association and the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards as well as an in demand clinician for musical theater throughout the state.

The Charles City Singers are open to anyone in northeast Iowa who enjoys performing with a group of singers. New members are welcome and interested persons can send an email to tjmitch1964@gmail.com before the first rehearsal.