Nick Selvi

I met Nick at FLES in 2008 when I made the move from BCPS to HCPS. As we were both special area teachers and two of only four men teaching in the building, we connected immediately. While it started as a connection to survive in a world of crazy-ass women, I quickly figured out that we were basically the same person. The same ridiculous, special person. Being equally inappropriate, quoting obscure movies, eating all food left in the building, and an appreciation of films including Jean Claude Van Damme and Arnold Schwarzanegger, and of course our love for Orioles baseball.

There were so many memories of Nick that made me laugh, inspired me, and simply helped me get through the day. We had so many laughs together, sometimes at the expense of others but, mostly at each other. Here are some of my favorites:

-All of the early dismissal lunches and their converations (CR Wings, Red Pump, Il Forno)
-Field day sundaes
-Any time Nick would see cookies in the faculty room he would say "Cookies?" like Schwarzanegger from Twins. Always cracked me up.
-That really strange dance Nick would do when the jazz band really started rolling. Still makes me smile when I think of that slightly disturbing vision.
-The Nick Selvi/Joe Peters experience
-Chucking dodgeballs at each other when he walked through the gym
-Texting movie quotes back and forth to each other during faculty meetings that had absolutely nothing to do with us.
-The ridiculously high quality of music that he got out of 4th and 5th graders. Seriously, I was always astonished at the product.
-The Jabba the Hut laugh (Nick knows what I'm talking about).

I know there are 5,000 more memories but, know that Nick is truly one of the most amazing people I've ever met. Seriously special. While we didn't spend a ton of time with each other outside of school, I still see Nick as one of my very best friends that I've ever had and kind of like a brother. We just got each other and I love him for that. No bullshit, just a really good friend.

~ Rob Pohlner

Nick Selvi taught two of my sons at FLES. Josh Leasure, now a senior at BAHS, and Nicholas Leasure, 8th grade BAMS. Mr. Selvi loves his students, loves music and loved teaching. These aren't exactly stories, but a few memories.
Josh played trumpet. Mr. Selvi was not happy that he didn't try out for jazz band in 5th grade...2007-2008. He would say "Man, you should've tried out for jazz band". Josh did not continue with the trumpet after 5th grade, thinking the adjustment to middle school would be too much. He loved having Mr. Selvi though. He was cool and funny.
Nicholas did try out for jazz band in 5th grade. 2011-12. Nicholas plays alto sax, piano, guitar, tenor sax, some harmonica and sings a bit. Nicholas has been so inspired by Mr. Selvi. Nicholas is doing something with music every day. Here are a few things Nicholas mentioned..."In Mr. Selvi's portable, he had a box of Shake and Bake.....he loves the Orioles, Beatles and Star Wars....he told a story once about an electric church...he is hilarious. He always called me "Leasure"....I fell coming down his steps, outside his house, after a private lesson, and I sprained my ankle. The next lesson he said to me as I was leaving, "Now you're going to conquer those steps today".

Mr. Selvi was diagnosed with cancer about 5 months before my father was. One day they had chemo at the same time. My dad didn't want to disturb him, so he didn't say hello. My dad knew who he was. My dad so enjoyed coming to the band concerts and especially the very talented jazz band. My dad came to the pancake breakfast held for Mr. Selvi, and they met. Mr. Selvi came to my dad's viewing, just 13 months ago, which touched us all. <3 Thank you Mr. Selvi for your talent, wisdom, kindness, humor, and courage.

Sharon Leasure and Family

~ Sharon Leasure

Mr. Selvi was such a great orchestra teacher for me! He helped me learn to play the violin in a really fun way. I remember in lessons when he would tell us a bunch of funny stories that would sometimes take up the whole lesson!! He was the kind of person that could make you feel better on a really bad day. His humor was THAT good! I really appreciate everything Mr. Selvi has done to help kids learn their instruments. He was one of my favorite teachers in elementary school!! I will always remember the great times everyone had in orchestra with you. Thank you for being such a great teacher.
Grace Martino

~ grace martino

When we were in high school, Nick worked at the McDonalds in Bel Air, across from the mall. Steph and I would often visit and harass him for french fries when we were bored. Nick actually introduced me to my first "real" boyfriend when he told his coworker that I liked when long-haired guys waved to me. And months later, when the relationship combusted in typical teenaged fashion, I gave Nick credit for staying (mostly) on "my side" of things.
<3,
Erin (Hires) Scott

~ Erin Scott

Although I never was in band or orchestra and I never got to be super close with him, I still had a connection with Mr. Selvi. His personality just radiated throughout Forest Lakes. Every students knew who he was and every student wanted him as a teacher. I am Delaney Bosworth currently a Freshman at NHHS. When I was in 5th grade there was a winter play and it was A Christmas Vacation, from what I remember Mr.Selvi was in charge of it for the most part and I wanted to be in it so bad, so I tried out and got the role of the wife. I was beyond excited, we had practices and Mr. Selvi made them so much fun, we didn't really want them to end. Then in April, long story short I got a sickness that caused me to be paralyzed, but after Mr. Selvi was diagnosed for a month or two, I wrote on his facebook page to keep fighting because I know he is strong and will be able to get through cancer, he is stronger than it. He then replied saying how it meant a lot coming from me especially and that I inspire him (something like that at least), that shocked me, Mr, Selvi, the teacher fighting for his life says I inspire him well he inspires me. The last thing Mr. Selvi ever said to me was "I'm alive" after I asked how he was. Although he isn't physically alive, I know he is alive spiritually, in the music we hear, or seeing some very awkward dance moves, even star wars references. They show how he is still around us everyday. Thank you Mr. Selvi, a lot. Shake n Bake
Delaney Bosworth

~ Delaney Bosworth

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

~ k cohen