November 19, 1998
Hennrick violin recital at NMC
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Ken Hennrick is living proof that it does not require a musical family to make a musician.
Despite the fact that neither parent plays any musical instrument, Hennrick has excelled at the violin for the past 12 years. Now a senior at Traverse City Central High School, Hennrick is rehearsing this week for his first solo violin recital Sunday at Northwestern Michigan College.
"He's very talented, very bright and he had a very good beginning with the violin," said Rosemary Malocsay, his violin teacher for the past seven years. "He has obtained quite a technical skill, which is something that will stay with him his whole life."
An excellent student in all subjects, Hennrick is dual enrolled this year at the college, majoring in applied music. He is also taking basic college courses, such as chemistry, that will chop at least a year off of his undergraduate degree.
"Music has helped me with academics," said Hennrick, who successfully auditioned for the Traverse Symphony Orchestra at 16. "I taught private violin lessons to junior high students last year and that is really hard. You have to have complete mastery to teach."
Music takes up most of his spare time and a good share of his school time. Hennrick is a member of the Central High School Orchestra, where he occupies first chair of first violins, and he plays professionally with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. He also plays in a quartet with other musicians from the high school's orchestra.
These activities are in addition to private music lessons and lessons through the college, plus daily practice at home.
Hennrick is determined that this year, however, his last in high school, he will try something else before graduating.
"This year I am going to try out for the tennis team," Hennrick said. "I have played tennis for years but never had time to be on the team."
Hennrick became aware of the violin when he was five years old and heard someone play. Still in kindergarten, he loved the sound and told his parents he wanted to learn to play that instrument. They were both supportive of his interest and he started lessons the next year at the age of six. Hennrick has flourished with the violin, taking private lessons and playing in school ever since. Both of his younger sisters are now also studying the violin.
"Ken has always worked hard and smart at his music, plus he is a good all-around student," said Ellen Boyer, director of the Traverse City Central Orchestra and Hennrick's first violin teacher. "He's a leader, but there's a lot of talented kids right behind him. He is one of the kids who sets the mark, though; it's like having a real strong athlete in the group who nurtures the rest."
Although he acknowledges his skill and training, Hennrick does not plan to pursue music as a profession. Instead, he is looking ahead to a career in medicine, perhaps in general surgery or trauma surgery. He plans to attend the University of Michigan and study both music and biology as a pre-med major. But he realizes the intensive and lengthy study required to become a doctor will not leave room for increasing his musical skill.
"I will probably continue playing even if I don't study it or play professionally," Hennrick said. "It is something I like to do."