The Teacher As Inspiration: Part Two
Dad in the teacher’s lounge at Sharon High School.
“I remember one line in particular, “The band always sounds as good as it’s worst member”... of course he was looking right at me when he said it. :-)”
This quote made me laugh and I am sure that my Dad was not targeting any one student when saying it. My assumption is that he was trying to communicate that your band mates are counting on you so focus and practice. Maybe, more importantly, the message was to work as a team to lift the level of everyone’s performance.
It warms my heart to see how many of my dad’s former students took time out to share their fond memories of my dad. Thank you to all of you! The following letter was yet another gem I received after reaching out on Facebook. Thank you, Elaine (Levine) Plotkin! Below the letter are some more quotes from other former students of my dad.
Elaine (Levine) Plotkin
I first met Mr. Fleishman during the summer of 1968 when I went to summer school at the "new" Sharon Junior High School for oboe lessons. Mrs. Bauman, the music and band teacher at Sharon High School (SHS) during my freshman year was looking for a glockenspiel player for band and asked the SHS chorus, of which I was a part, if anyone was interested in playing that instrument. When there were too many people interested, myself among them, she showed me other band instruments that were available to play. I decided on the oboe. I had no musical experience at all, but I was up to the challenge. The chorus teacher began lessons with me that Spring and said that I should continue lessons with her over the summer by attending summer school.
When I walked into my first oboe lesson that summer of 1968, I was shocked that my chorus teacher was not there to continue to work with me. Instead, it was a young man, a music teacher named Mr. Fleishman. He assessed my skill level (minimal at best) and we spent that summer together learning the skills that I would need if I hoped to be part of the Sharon High School Band. What I also remember about that summer with Mr. Fleishman was that he made learning to play my instrument fun. He would oftentimes accompany me on the piano and play popular pieces of contemporary music as I slowly, but surely played individual notes of some obscure song that would help me master the oboe. By the time that my sophomore year at Sharon High School rolled around that Fall, I was at a level where I could join the Sharon High School Band, but probably just because Mr. Fleishman would make sure that I could play in it....even if he had to modify my music. What I didn't know at the time was that Mr. Fleishman had applied for and would become our new music teacher--chorus, band, music appreciation, etc. when I returned to Sharon High School that very Fall.
Elaine (Levine) Plotkin is in the front row, 7th from the left. Dad is all the way to the right.
Being in the Sharon High School band was the highlight of my high school career. I would never amount to much of an oboe player, but I was a great band member in other ways. I was band librarian and responsible for all the music. I also began a bulletin board display called BAND MEMBER OF THE WEEK (or MONTH), where I would highlight one of our band members for all to get to know better. The band was a place for those of us who weren't "the popular kids" or "the jocks" to shine. Mr. Fleishman was very much the reason why we could. He encouraged us, he let us try new things and by doing so, he created future musicians, but also, in my case, future leaders in our respective professions. He instilled in us a love of music of all kinds--from Sousa marches to Beethoven's symphonies to musicals to contemporary music. I may not play the oboe any longer, but my love of music has continued throughout my life due in large part to Mr. Fleishman.
Mr. Fleishman worked very hard to grow the music program at Sharon High School. I was one of the students he would take along to highlight the instruments in the band and the music program on trips to the Sharon elementary schools and junior high to get future high school students to become part of the high school music program. I also recall his efforts to give the band and chorus members new venues to perform at. He worked out many new locations for us to perform and we even had an exchange concert with Templeton High School (MA), which was a lot of fun for band members from both towns. We played (or tried to play) on the field at Sharon High School JV Football games. I remember that we struggled to become a marching band, but we gave it a try for Mr. Fleishman.
In addition to Mr. Fleishman's efforts at recruiting students for the music program, the students in the band at the time also were great recruiters. For those friends of ours who didn't play instruments, there were always the "majorette" spots in marching band to fill. All those spots went to friends of band members. I personally recruited one of my friends, Debbie Magid, to join the band. She had no experience playing the clarinet, but tried very hard and Mr. Fleishman made her a "4th clarinet player". Note: There is no such band position as 4th clarinet. Mr. Fleishman included everyone who showed an interest, no matter what their skill level. Skills could be improved if there was interest!
Another person mentioned how Mr. Fleishman would say that the band was only as good as its worst member and I have always remembered that expression in my own 40 year career with Harris County Public Library System (Houston, TX) in any leadership role that I found myself in. I always tried to provide the tools for success for those working with me and to be as encouraging as possible. That's what Mr. Fleishman inspired in all of us--not to be afraid to try new things and enthusiasm for any project you are part of. He was our cheerleader and by doing so, he moved our small music program forward each year.
I like to think that the SHS band from 1968-70 was the best group of high school students that Mr. Fleishman ever had, as we were the first students, the foundation of his career with the Sharon School System and we set the bar high for all those who followed. I have never forgotten my Sharon High School band years, the friends I made and how one band director made such a positive difference in my life. I may not play an instrument any longer, but my appreciation of music, of working hard towards a common goal with a group, being enthusiastic about any project I'm a part of and having a positive attitude.....all these life skills "played out" in the band hall of Sharon High School and have continued to "play" throughout my life and now, during my retirement.
Thank you Mr. Fleishman for the impact you've had on me and the lives of so many others who had the good fortune to have had you as their teacher or worked with you. I only knew you a little over 2 years until my family moved to Texas before my senior year in high school, but I have never forgotten you and how you molded us all into the adults we are today. Wishing you good health, love and continued success.
Sincerely your FAVORITE band librarian and oboist,
Elaine (Levine) Plotkin
SHS Band, 1968-70
“I had private lessons with him for years at the Baldwinville Elementary school. I remember my last lesson with him when he was leaving and I cried... My mom and I talked about losing a friend. He put me in 5th/6th grade band when I was in the fourth grade.”
“I was a confessed hacker and non-musician in Stage Band and your dad showed us compassion and understanding. One of my few fond memories of high school: One year, at Berklee’s Jazz Festival, I think he really thought we had a shot at making the finals. We didn’t. I think he had a couple of well deserved adult beverages, that afternoon, to ease the pain! ”
“...we were proud and happy to be with Mr. Fleishman. He was very low-key, quiet, and gentle, but he frequently tossed mini pep talks into rehearsals and conversations. Trips also helped: Berklee’s High School Jazz Festival and exchange concerts with his former teaching gig in Templeton. He made us very proud. Very happy. And this paid dividends socially as well. ”
“For most of us, band was not only the best part of the school day - it was the reason we came to school ! Mr. F. was great in so many ways. I played trumpet but he let me play valve trombone in jazz band, baritone in concert band, even a little bit of tuba in pep band. Then he let me go back to trumpet for my senior year. He taught us so much about music and playing together. I was always amazed at how good a bunch of kids could sound. Loved how he introduced us to jazz and improvisation - and always got a treat when he sat down at the piano. His music selection was really good especially for jazz ensemble and pep band. 35 years later I’m still humming Jump Shout Boogie, the Stripper, the Opener, Blackbird, Sweet Georgia Brown, When I’m 64, Watermelon Man. I think Pep band rehearsal was my favorite - he wanted the horns to let loose and play loud and we would tear the roof off that band room...none of the other pep bands played the selection of music that we did. Many thanks to Mr. F. - great band memories!”