Poly High School music director Andy Osman, who died on Sept. 4. Courtesy Osman’s Facebook page. Longtime Poly High School music director and orchestra leader Andy Osman died on Sept. 4, days before his 60th birthday. Osman’s passing came 16 months after a diagnosis of advanced pancreatic cancer, a period of time where the Long Beach community seized the opportunity to honor him. Among the celebrations of Osman’s life and contributions was a well-attended renaming ceremony for the over 100-year-old Poly auditorium, which was renamed the Andrew Osman Performing Arts Center. “We were really grateful that he had basically a living wake,” said Brian Dokko, Poly’s Director of Choral Activities for the last 18 years. “Instead of being celebrated after he moved on, he got everything he deserved before he left. There’s a lot of peace for us.” In his more than three decades of service, Osman taught thousands of Poly students and helped build the Jackrabbits’ music program into a nationally recognized powerhouse. “He completely changed my life and so, so many others,” said former Poly musician Mandy Wainfan. “No words can do it justice.” Osman was hired in 1983 to take over what was, at the time, […]
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