Violinist, police captain a true Renaissance man

Reading and writing poetry among Ed Brunt's pursuits

On the job, Ed Brunt tries to get the bad guys. After work, he pursues something more elusive: the perfect note from his violin.

“It’s a very demanding instrument, and that’s what I love about it,” said Brunt, a captain with the Lawrence Police Department who has been playing violin the past two years. “It’s probably the most temperamental mistress I’ve ever had. Weather affects her. Your mood affects her. The wrong bow, you don’t get the sound you want. Oil on your fingers, you don’t get the sound you want. … When you’re right on, there’s not a sweeter sound in the world than the violin.”

Brunt, a 27-year veteran of the department, joined a group of musicians to play Christmas carols for senior citizens Friday night at Babcock Place, 1700 Mass.

He already plays piano, guitar, harmonica and bass – not to mention reading and writing poetry – so other LPD officers have taken his new hobby in stride.

“Over the years, they’ve come to know that I’m extremely weird, so nothing that I do anymore surprises anyone,” said Brunt, one of three captains in charge of the department’s patrol operations.

Ed Brunt, left, plays Christmas carols for residents at Babcock Place, 1700 Mass. Brunt also plays piano, guitar, harmonica and bass. Performing Friday with Brunt on the front row were Steve Mason, center, and Matt Kirby.

Brunt said he’s always been interested in violin, but his desire to play it grew stronger about six years ago, when he went to see a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” in Lindsborg. Afterward, he talked with the lead violinist and expressed his interest in playing.

“He looked at me and said, ‘You’re too old to start,’ and walked away,” Brunt said.

Brunt, who will turn 50 next month, saw it as a challenge.

“That has stuck with me for many years,” he said. “Never let anyone tell you that there is something you can’t do. That was part of what motivated me to take up violin and to be good.”

He bought Suzuki books and taught himself “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” He enrolled at Americana Music Academy with instructor Diane Gillenwater, and he tries to practice an hour to three hours per day – mostly playing bluegrass and Scottish tunes.

On a recent day, he said, he practiced for five hours.

“I just think he’s done remarkably well a real passionate player,” Gillenwater said. “He’s probably one of my best beginners I’ve ever had.”

Brunt begs to differ.

“I can’t play any Vivaldi and I can’t play like Itzhak Perlman, so I don’t think I’ve made very good progress at all in two years,” he said.