Mark Hendrickson had a very successful career in the United States Navy, serving the country as a Naval Flight Officer flying in an E-2C. Although his professional career took him to the armed forces, he returned to his roots in retirement and joined the Hampton Roads Philharmonic. Mark, a trombone player, also enjoys playing euphonium and cello and started his musical talent by playing in the fourth-grade band. “I still remember loving that band, although, in all honesty, I don’t think we sounded very musical,” Mark said.

Mark says he really didn’t have much time to play between college graduation and retirement, and he did not own a horn to be able to play during his own time. “When pondering how to spend my retirement, I knew I wanted to get back into music. So I scratched some money together and purchased a really fine trombone, a Bach Stradivarius. Not the same guy who made the famous violins.” Mark was surprised at how much came back to him, and he started to seek opportunities to play.

Mark found the Hampton Roads Philharmonic through a quick internet search and sent in an audition tape. A few years later, he got the call that a position was available. “There are a lot of trombone players in the area, and spots can be hard to get,” he says.

When asked what types of music he likes to play, Mark says besides classical music, he likes to play band music, folk, jazz, hymns, and Christian rock through this church band. “I love it all,” he says.

Apart from the Hampton Roads Philharmonic, he plays in other amateur music groups, with the orchestra being the only classical group he plays in. “Playing with such fine musicians under our talented conductor is a real honor.”

The Hampton Roads Philharmonic is a group of dedicated and passionate musicians of all ages providing music to Hampton Roads. Our members perform at larger concerts and smaller chamber performances across the region throughout the year. Learn more about our organization, or find out how you can join our orchestra.

Are you interested in meeting more members of the Hampton Roads Philharmonic like Mark Hendrickson? View our profiles on our Meet the Members page.