Region – Mark Flynn, a former resident of Oxford, Mass., was recently recognized by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) and the Erie County Music Educators Association (ECMEA) with the Award for Excellence in Music Education. Flynn is currently a music teacher at the Central School in Akron, N.Y.
Flynn was presented the award during a private reception and awards ceremony at the Mary Seaton Room of Kleinhans Music Hall prior to the public presentation on stage preceding the BPO's performance on May 10.
Flynn began his teaching career at Akron Central Schools in the fall of 1983. He is currently the High School Concert Band Director, Akron Tiger Marching/Pep Band Director, Middle School Jazz Band Director and Middle School Advanced Concert Band Director as well the provider of instrumental music lessons for brass, woodwind and percussion for grades six through twelve. Flynn has also served as an adjunct professor at Erie Community College where he developed, implemented and directed a start-up pep band program and at the University of Buffalo where he is credited for the start-up Marching Band program for the Division I football program and directed the pep band for football and basketball games.
In an effort to teach students to “give back” to their community, each December Flynn leads a select group of students for the “Santa's Helpers Band,” a group that dresses in Santa costumes and makes a tour of nursing homes, hospitals, Eastern Hills Mall, Buffalo Niagara International Airport and other venues to bring holiday cheer with music of the season.
“Mr. Flynn epitomizes the classic teacher, one whose own dedication to excellence is transferred to his students,” said? Joseph Lucenti, Akron's High School principal.? “His timeless efforts and professional commitment to our young men and women have been marked with countless awards for individual students as well as our program.? It is only appropriate that the man behind our outstanding music program is given his deserved recognition, most importantly by his peers.? ACS is fortunate having Mr. Flynn all these years and share in this celebration.? Bravo Maestro, well done!”
Flynn earned his Bachelor and Masters of Music Education from Ithaca College. He has also studied Jazz at the University of Buffalo and Villanova University and has taken administrative courses from Canisius College.
Flynn grew up in Oxford, Mass. and attended Oxford Schools. He was a member of the Worcester CYC Orchestra conducted by Ralph Metcalf and the Worcester Youth Orchestra conducted by Harry Levinson. He is the son of John I. (Jack) Flynn and the late Grace Flynn of Oxford.
