from the desk of the executive director
Celebrating a Life Well Lived Laurie N. Fellenz, Executive Director
This article is re- spectfully submit- ted to celebrate the life of a Wisconsin music educator who gave tirelessly in and through the pro- fession he loved. It is dedicated to Thomas H. Hen-
inger and all music educators past, current and future who give of themselves to create a better future for Wisconsin’s students in and through music education.
Tom and Ben Heninger were excited to attend the WMEA President’s Reception on the evening of Wednesday, October 26, 2022 as they were in Madison, WI to attend the 2022 Wisconsin State Music Conference together. Tom, a retired music educator still serving through WMEA leadership roles, WSMA adjudication, field representative work, and support to col- leagues, was looking forward to the event. Ben, WSMA board member and first-year
superintendent in Butternut, WI, had driven to Madison to attend with his father. Our WMEA leadership team was excited to have them both in attendance as Tom was being recognized that evening as the outgoing historian on the WMEA Council. Many current and former WMEA leaders were in attendance and enjoyed catching up with them. Both Tom and Ben left the event that evening excited for the next few days that would start early Thursday morn- ing for Tom as a field representative at the registration booth.
Tragically, Tom passed away the morning of Thursday, October 27, 2022 on his way to work that shift. The bicycle accident on the first morning of conference will live on in the memories of his countless col- leagues and friends, but most profoundly with Tom’s family; however, what is more significant is the life of Tom Heninger and this interview with his son, Ben, will provide us all with lasting memories of a life well lived.
Tell us a bit about Thomas Heninger’s life and background as a musician and music educator.
Some of the earliest childhood memories remind me of how my dad was always genuinely interested in getting to know more about everyone who happened to be within earshot. In other words, he could have a conversation with anyone for hours (or days). Music was an inseparable part of his DNA. I recall him sharing how much his mother (my grandmother, Anita) enjoyed going to band concerts with him while he was growing up in Como (by Lake Gene- va). One of my favorite stories comes from the days he was a young trumpet student at Badger High School, when a “mystery guest” came by to work with him on some jazz licks in the practice room. He didn’t know who this man named “Doc” was at the time (as he told his friends), but he was a pretty darn good musician (my dad didn’t discover his unknowing celebrity encounter until after Doc Severinsen’s departure).
Experience WSM Online! Your Fully Digitized Version
Did you know, Wisconsin School Musician is now exclusively published in digital format with many great features?
• Multimedia, such as video, audio and flash • Hyperlinks to web and email sources
• Highlighting, bookmarking, customized viewing, noting, instant page printing and “send to a friend” options
• Viewable on and offline • Archival search
WSMmagazine.org • Password: music4life 8
These formative experiences likely had a profound impact on my father’s life trajec- tory in music, whether playing in a brass quintet, conducting a community group, or working with thousands upon thousands of eager young minds on how to become more skilled at their instrument. It was after he met my mother, Susan, at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (who was also an amazing musician and teacher), that ev- erything just came together for what would become a long and distinguished career as a music educator (and devout family man).
What was he most passionate about within the profession?
At the end of the day, my father was most passionate about helping people develop a lifelong love of and appreciation for instru- mental music. His formidable knowledge of literature and appropriate wind band reper- toire representing a wide variety of cultures, ages and abilities provided inspiration for my own journey as a music educator. To the best of my recollection regarding his
January 2023
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
