Music man bows out Michael Abresch retires from school district

      My experience as a district administrator in Rockville Centre has been enormously rewarding, Abresch said. And, he says, retirement does not mean the end of his working life. He is looking forward to pursuing other interests in the workforce as well as hobbies in his new-found spare time.
      Abresch, who has lived in Rockville Centre for 19 years, is also hoping to spend more time with his family. He has four children, Rebecca, Amanda, Zachary and Adam, a talented musician in his own right who attends South Side High School. Abresch's wife, Cherlyn, retired in June after more than 30 years of teaching in the Hewlett-Woodmere schools.
      During his tenure in Rockville Centre, Abresch has been responsible for the district's art program and library and media services. He also serves as the director of practical arts, encompassing home and careers and technology.
      Besides having time for family and friends, he will also have time to perform and conduct music again. Last month he performed with the South Shore Symphony at the celebration of the village's birthday. Then there are his hobbies, including golf, gardening and cooking. The open road and sea also beckon I can't wait for increased travel, he said.
      The district is beginning its own odyssey to find a replacement for Abresch. Superintendent Dr. William Johnson said he hopes to fill the position in the interim for about six months while district officials screen and interview candidates. They hope to fill the position permanently by February. Johnson hopes that Rockville Centre's solid reputation in music and performing arts will attract quality applicants.
      Looking back on his career, Abresch said he will miss his staff and the children. The most gratifying experience for me has always been the consistently high degree of participation by children in our program. I will very much miss seeing and hearing those many beautiful children, he said.
      He said he has too many favorite memories to mention all of them, but that the consistent support of the community and the resulting improvements in the facilities were important highlights. Others included his conducting the high school musicals and the middle school students' being selected to sing in A Christmas Carol for six straight years. Mostly, watching children stay resilient through their struggles until they finally succeed will be his favorite memory.
      Another meaningful part of Abresch's career has been the opportunity to perform his son Adam in various musical organizations. Abresch knows just how it feels for a parent to proudly watch a child perform.
      Some parents are worried about the fate of the music department. I'm assuming there's some conflicts about the direction of the music department. I hope it doesn't go down after he leaves, said Norma Koppel. The Koppel family was quick to support Abresch when the administration was considering making some changes to the wind ensemble in the middle school last year. Koppel's daughter, Lauren, wrote a letter to support keeping the ensemble as is, a group that requires an audition to enter. Lauren was a member of the ensemble in middle school and is a member of the high school wind ensemble.
      I hope they're smart enough to choose another director with as much intelligence and vision, said Koppel.
      Abresch is convinced the music and performing arts program will continue to be healthy. I feel confident at this juncture in my career that, in capable hands, it can continue to prosper, especially since that is what this village has always desired and supported, he said.