On Aug. 7, Ball State University's School of Music lost a legendary teacher as well as an amazing professor with the death of Fred "Doc" Ehnes. Ehnes had been the professor of horn at Ball State for 38 years. Today, the Musical Arts Quintet will give a performance honoring the life and work of Ehnes.
"I have a one-year teaching position in horn in the School of Music this year," said Cynthia Carr, horn professor and horn player for the Musical Arts Quintet. "It is an honor to carry on Ehnes' legacy."
Carr has been playing horn for 35 years and teaching professionally for 26. Carr met Ehnes when she and her husband and fellow musician Timothy Clinch moved to Muncie in 2006.
"Dr. Ehnes was very welcoming and I could tell right away that he was a caring and devoted teacher," said Carr.
Timothy Clinch, who has been playing oboe for 37 years now and teaching it professionally for 28 years, is also a member of the Musical Arts Quintet.
"We had a very enjoyable collegial relationship with a lot of pleasurable storytelling," said Clinch. "Fred was one of the most kind and cheerful people I ever knew. Performing with three generations of his students tomorrow will bring the continuity of his tradition alive in a truly meaningful way which I think would have made Fred smile."
Allison Perry, fifth year senior music education major, said she remembers meeting Ehnes when her sister auditioned at Ball State School of Music in 2000.
"He gave us a tour of the campus and was the first professor I met," said Perry. "When I came here, even though I wasn't in his studio, I felt the caring demeanor of Ehnes, and he had reflected it in his students."
Ball State alumna and horn player Rachel Mihich remembers Doc's puns and how she felt like he always truly wanted the best for his students.
"Doc called all of his students names like kiddo, sis, tiger or show off and would make some of the worst puns ever," said Mihich. "Now whenever I make a pun I think about him and laugh. Doc loved all of his students and wanted them to do well."
The Musical Arts Quintet will perform in Sursa Hall at 8 p.m. The concert will feature former horn students of Ehnes: Heather Johnson, Beth Lano and Verle Ormsby Jr. The concert is open to the public and free of charge. There will be a reception in the Muller Lobby following the concert.
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