Barbola Funeral Chapel

Tena A. Hess

Tena Ann Hess, age 69, of Rock Island, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in East Moline, Illinois.

She was born August 5, 1952, in Berlin, WI, the daughter of August and Margaret Graveen Hess. Tena was a 1970 graduate of Berlin High School and received a bachelor’s degree in music from UW-Oshkosh in 1974.

From 1974 to present, Tena was a soloist, Chamber performer, did freelance work, was a Narada recording artist and was the principal flutist for David Arkenstone, in which they recorded a CD titled “In the Wake of the Wind.” She was on the faculty of which she taught at the Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee. She also taught at Alverno College, an outreach program and UW-Milwaukee. Internationally, she was a concert performer and instructor with William Bennett in Italy and London and also with Trevor Wye and Geoffrey Gilbert in Europe.

During her apprenticeships from 1970-78, she studied under UW-Oshkosh professor, Dr. James Grine. From 1975-77, she apprenticed under Janet Millard de Roldan in Milwaukee, Michele Debost in Germany, Marcel Moyse in Switzerland, Andras Adorjan in France, William Bennett in Italy and Walfrid Kujala in Chicago. In 1977 she was the winner at the national Flute Association Young Artist Competition and in 1981 she was the winner at the Julius Baker Flute Masterclass Performance Competition. She taught in Santiago, Dominican Republic as well as the principal flutist in the National Orchestra in the Dominican Republic. She stayed busy playing from 1979-1991 as principal flutist for the Milwaukee Ballet (plus 2nd flute and piccolo), Waukesha Symphony, Milwaukee Music Ensemble, Sylvan and Dorian Wind Quintets and Milwaukee Opera Company.

Tena freelanced playing in an Irish group, was 2nd flutist in the Quad Cities Symphony and a substitute 2nd flute and piccolo. Tina was fortunate enough in 1981 to play at Carnegie Hall in New York during a tour with the Milwaukee Symphony. She was featured on the flute and alto flute in solo excerpts of Ravel’s “Daphnis Et Chloe” from the ballet No. 2. For many years at Christmastime she played with the Orchestra in the production of A Christmas Carol in Milwaukee. She toured with the Milwaukee Ballet playing in New Orleans, Los Angeles, West Palm beach, Punta Gorda and Sarasota, Florida. On November 4, 1984, Tena came home to Berlin and gave everyone a priceless gift, the gift of music. She played her music beautifully in a 90-minute concert. Tena not only loved to perform but also loved giving lessons to young flute players, teaching them new techniques.

In her youth, Tena had wanted to become an artist but said she never had the patience to finish a painting. Like every successful flute player, Tena began as a little girl in the sixth grade with stars in her eyes envisioning playing the drums but Harlan Adams talked her out of it. She started out on an old flute and immediately fell in love with the sound. From that moment on she became keenly aware of flutes whenever she heard them. In 8th grade she received a used Gemeinhardt flute for Christmas and the music notes really began to flow. By the time she was a Sophomore, the Berlin High School band director, Harlan Adams, advised her that there was nothing more her could teach her and recommended advanced study with Dr, James Grine at UWO. She said that Grine taught her to play what the music was trying to say, to put life’s feelings into music. And could she ever play!!! Our mother would always say she played like an angel. The house was always filled with the sound of her music whether it was a soft lullaby or a jig that would take you off your feet. It seemed like the house would come alive with the sound of her music. We always knew where she was by the sound of her flute, whether Tena was in one corner of the house or out in the back yard, serenading the neighborhood. At times you would find her walking around in the back yard playing and we never got a noise complaint. Tena loved playing her flute and it became evident that she enjoyed her music and the pleasure it gave others. She played with such ease and grace.

Tena had a gentle and kind sole being generous to everyone around her and who never said a bad thing about anyone. Her heart was as big as it could get and she loved everyone around her. She loved her family very much and wished she could be home more. Tena, we love and miss you!

She is survived by her siblings, Marlene Abutin, Kim (William) Kempen and A. Dean (Wendi) Hess; nephew, Scott (Tammy) Greening; niece, Heidi (Chris) Brown; great-nieces and nephews, Taylor Greening, Bryce Greening, Austin Brown and Natalie Brown; three wonderful friends who were so kind to her, Teri Penzenstadler, Wilda Williams and Jeanne McCullen; and her flute community. Tena was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Robert Labudd; nephew, Brent Greening and brother-in-law, Jamie Abutin.

Private family services with inurnment will be held at Oakwood Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Tena Hess, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.