I came to know Nick through my children Hannah (cello), Eliza (viola and Jazz band piano), and Sam (saxophone), and from substitute teaching at FLES. While on the outside Nick was boisterous and humorous, inside he was a kind and giving soul.
Hannah started playing the cello in 5th grade. Nick worked with her one-on-one until she played at a level at which she could join and play with the 5th grade orchestra. She ended up playing the cello all the way through high school.
Eliza started with piano and played at a music recital Nick held each year at Barnes and Noble. The recital was open to all FLES musicians, not just Nick’s students. She went on to play viola in the orchestra and piano in the Jazz Band. At the end of 5th grade she decided not to continue with viola and to concentrate on piano only. I secretly let Nick know by email and he simply replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her.” That afternoon, she came home saying she had changed her mind because playing the viola would allow her to play in a large group and become a better musician. She continues to play both instruments today, as well as in a quartet and all county orchestra.
Sam played saxophone with Nick during his illness. Nick bravely talked to his students about his illness, saying he wanted them to know, and to ask questions so that they would not be scared. He explained that he was still their teacher and that he was LIVING with cancer and fighting hard.
I got to know Nick better when I started subbing. I remember my first day when I was assigned to sub in the portable next to Nick’s. I was leading a rambunctious and loud group of fifth graders to the main building, when Nick came storming out of his portable with his saxophone around his neck, yelling, “HEY GUYS! I can’t even hear myself play!” He whipped those kids into shape and instantly my day was better.
Nick was so loved and admired by all of the students at FLES. On concert days, excitement and anticipation filled the school. What did Mr. Selvi have in store for the students today? Would Darth Vader make an appearance? Would he win the light saber duel or would Santa? What would happen to Aunt Rhodie next? Would there be a Selvi/Peters jam session? What funny thing would Mr. Selvi do or say? (and we all know he had a lot to say!) Would we get out of school on time?
And of course, he always made us laugh.
I remember at the 4th grade instrumental music orientation for parents Nick would suggest how to buy an instrument for your child. He would say, “If you’re out choosing a lovely violin for your child and you turn around behind you and there is a stack of diapers on the shelf across the aisle, you might be in the wrong place!”
When Sam brought his brand new shiny saxophone to school for the first time to show Mr. Selvi, he pulled out the pad saver (a large brush that you put in the horn for storage) and Nick said, “I see you got the spit saver, GREAT!”
Nick tried to write a piece of music every year for his students. He wrote Taco Bell Cannon, when Eliza was in the orchestra. Students from all over Bel Air played Taco Bell Cannon at Nick’s last Strings Day in 2013.
And, after Eliza’s very first Jazz band practice after school, I somehow got distracted and failed to pick her up on time. I was horrified because Nick was volunteering his time and he probably needed to be picking up his own kids. I apologized profusely, promised cookies, promised to help in any way and to never be late, etc. He very calmly said, “Relax, it’s OK, I know you’re not a slacker . . .” (Slacker was what Nick lovingly called his students who forgot their instruments.)
So, thank you Nick, for being kind and giving. For inspiring and building confidence. For brightening our days. Your stories and memories, laughter and music, will live on in all of our hearts.
Kate Cohen 11/22/2014
