Mark Perkins, the “leader of the band,” says goodbye.
By BRYCE MARTIN
Pioneer Editor | [email protected]
It was finally time for Scranton’s longtime “leader of the band” to say goodbye.
Mark Perkins, band director and music teacher at Scranton Public Schools, received a heartwarming sendoff from family, friends, students and community members May 10 during the school’s spring concert.
Perkins’ storied, 36-year career in Scranton comes to an end later this month as he enters retirement, but Scranton wouldn’t have the beloved teacher bid farewell without paying tribute to his accomplishments.
After strong performances by the junior high and high school choirs, led by choir teacher Will Charboneau, it was time for Perkins, 60, to approach the conducting podium for the final time. He conducted his junior high and high school bands as they performed some popular oldies and modern Top 20 hits.
As he does at the end of each performance, Perkins spun around to the crowd and took a bow. He got a standing ovation. But he realizes it’s not just his success—his band, too, gets the credit—so he stood aside and pointed his hand toward his students.
The crowd offered tremendous applause and cheers.
Perkins told the audience that throughout his decades of teaching people would approach him and ask why he wouldn’t leave Scranton for bigger markets, such as Bismarck or Fargo. Both had teaching positions available over the years.
“I would tell them, the reason I did not do that is sitting behind me right now,” he pointed to the students. “These are the real stars.”
Throughout his years at Scranton, Perkins always maintained a calm demeanor, according to Mona Teske, a Scranton High School alumnus. Teske offered a few words before introducing Perkins.
Teske told the audience that she and her daughter were talking about teaching one day and her daughter mentioned that it is easy to get burnt out. Her daughter didn’t want to become one of those teachers that can’t wait until they’re done.
“I told her to think of Mr. P.,” Teske said. She acknowledged that Perkins was like a role model that her daughter should look up to.
“He treats each and everyone of us like we’re his own kids. They want to do well for themselves and for him,” she added.
Teske joined many other Scranton alumni, on the instruments they used to play, for a special performance that brought Perkins’ career full circle. Four directors in the Class B Region of music, of which Scranton is part, also took a place in the band to perform.
Kat Perkins and Kelly Perkins-Robinson, Mark’s daughters, joined their fellow alumni in the performance. Kat played French horn and Kelly played the flute—both were taught by their father.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the event was a special taped performance by Kat and Kelly. It was taped instead of performed live because Kat said she and Kelly are “ugly criers” and it would certainly result in many tears being shed. The two sang an adapted rendition of Dan Fogelberg’s, “Leader of the Band,” which perfectly summarized Perkins’ teaching career and the role he played in his daughters’ lives.
When the lights of the gymnasium were turned back on, the entire Perkins family had tears rolling down their faces.