Mark Schechter
I just got back from a trip and found out that Mr. Trautwein had died. It’s amazing how many people’s lives Mr. Trautwein touched in such an important way. He meant a tremendous amount to me, and I feel really lucky to have had the chance to see him – after a brief gap of about 30 years – at our recent reunion. It was very moving, all the more because even after all this time he remembered everything. He insisted that I call him George, which I did, but he’ll always be Mr. Trautwein to me.
So here are a couple of memories about George Trautwein. Not long after the HS had opened the choir was going to perform at the dedication. Tom Wyner and I decided that we didn’t need to wear ties, and that “the open collar look” was perfectly acceptable for this kind of occasion. When we showed up and George saw us, he was not at all pleased. “Where are your ties?” he demanded. “Mr. Trautwein,” we replied, “it’s the open collar look!” “Open collar look my patoot,” he said, visibly shaking. “You are NOT singing.” And we didn’t. I think we were the whole tenor section, but Mr. Trautwein didn’t care. He conducted the choir and sang the tenor part himself. And we learned that he meant business.
Another of my fondest memories was a time that I was at basketball practice, and saw Mr. Trautwein peering down from that glass window that overlooked the gym. He made an operatic gesture, which I understood to be an invitation, and I shook my head yes. As soon as practice was over I rushed to the LGI where he was waiting at the piano. He taught me a new song, accompanying me and coaching my vocals. I don’t think either of us could have been doing anything that would make us happier. I remember even at the time thinking that this was really unbelievable, and that I was incredibly lucky to have this experience.
I just got back from a trip and found out that Mr. Trautwein had died. It’s amazing how many people’s lives Mr. Trautwein touched in such an important way. He meant a tremendous amount to me, and I feel really lucky to have had the chance to see him – after a brief gap of about 30 years – at our recent reunion. It was very moving, all the more because even after all this time he remembered everything. He insisted that I call him George, which I did, but he’ll always be Mr. Trautwein to me.
So here are a couple of memories about George Trautwein. Not long after the HS had opened the choir was going to perform at the dedication. Tom Wyner and I decided that we didn’t need to wear ties, and that “the open collar look” was perfectly acceptable for this kind of occasion. When we showed up and George saw us, he was not at all pleased. “Where are your ties?” he demanded. “Mr. Trautwein,” we replied, “it’s the open collar look!” “Open collar look my patoot,” he said, visibly shaking. “You are NOT singing.” And we didn’t. I think we were the whole tenor section, but Mr. Trautwein didn’t care. He conducted the choir and sang the tenor part himself. And we learned that he meant business.
Another of my fondest memories was a time that I was at basketball practice, and saw Mr. Trautwein peering down from that glass window that overlooked the gym. He made an operatic gesture, which I understood to be an invitation, and I shook my head yes. As soon as practice was over I rushed to the LGI where he was waiting at the piano. He taught me a new song, accompanying me and coaching my vocals. I don’t think either of us could have been doing anything that would make us happier. I remember even at the time thinking that this was really unbelievable, and that I was incredibly lucky to have this experience.
