R. Bryson Curry, 83

June 23, 2016

R. Bryson Curry, 83, of Lancaster, died June 23,2016 at the Glen at Willow Valley Communities after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was the loving husband of Marie McGreevy Curry, with whom he celebrated 45 years of marriage. Bryson was the devoted father of Laura Lynn Trumpower, wife of Jeffrey, and proud grandfather of Lynn Trumpower. Bryson was predeceased by his brother, Howard Curry, Jr. Bryson will be deeply missed by family members in Colorado Springs, Chicago, and Harford County, MD.

Bryson graduated from the University of Kentucky and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, with additional study at the University of Illinois, Auburn University, and the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.

Bryson began his musical life with the trombone in Lexington, Kentucky, where he was invited to play with various adult musical groups during his high school years. After college, he was part of the US Army Band at Fort Benning, GA, then began his public school music teaching in Columbus, GA. He was a member of the Columbus Symphony and played with the Jimmy Fuller Orchestra.

When Bryson moved to Cincinnati, OH, to teach in public schools there, he guided high school students in concert bands, marching bands, jazz bands, variety shows and ensembles. For two years, Bryson served as manager of the Cincinnati Youth Orchestra and played in the Cincinnati Summer Symphony. As a free-lance trombonist, Bryson played in community bands and brass ensembles in the Cincinnati-Covington area.

After his move to Maryland, Bryson was a founding member of Sounding Brass, a professional brass quintet which entertained at concerts, various churches, weddings and festivals. For many years, he was a member of Baltimore’s Big Band, performing weekly at various sites in the city in the summers. Additionally, he played with the Baltimore Trombone Choir and Just Bones, a trombone ensemble. In Harford County, he was a member of the Bel Air Community Band and the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra.

In his years at Havre de Grace High School, Bryson instructed and directed the concert band, the marching band, and a jazz band in numerous performances, as well as presentations by the school chorus.

At Dublin Elementary and Hickory Elementary schools in Harford County, MD, Bryson delighted in starting students in musical studies, leading them from novices to accomplished players. At Hickory Elementary, Bryson led students to create the first student council at the elementary level in Harford County.

After his retirement from public school teaching, Bryson was honored to be inducted into the Harford County Public School Educator Hall of Fame for his “27 years of outstanding service to students, colleagues, and the community.”

In Cincinnati and in Maryland, Bryson individually taught brass music students at his home, or in music studios. His own brilliant public performances inspired his students to emulate him. Throughout his retirement, he was contacted by former students to thank him for starting their musical careers.

An inspiring teacher himself, Bryson advocated for improved teaching conditions for all teachers. He was a founding member of the Cincinnati Teachers Union, a division of the AFT. In Maryland, Bryson was an active member of the Harford County Education Association, an affiliate of NEA. He was an HCEA Executive Board member and part of the negotiation team working for strong contracts for Harford County teachers.

After Bryson and his wife moved to the Willow Valley Communities in Lancaster, Bryson became a member of the Lampeter-Strasburg Community Band and its jazz component, FlipSide. Additionally, he performed frequently at Willow Valley in small groups, most notably the Watt-a-Quintet. Early in his residency, Bryson was elected chairman of the Manor North Resident Council.

The Curry family is grateful to the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Dr. Timothy Martin of Lancaster, and Dr. Winfried Wieland of Willow Street. Additionally, the family appreciates the personal care given by the staff of the Glen at Willow Valley Communities, Visiting Angels, PA Home Care, WV Connections at Home, and Hospice and Community Care.

Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Parkinson’s Disease Research Center at Johns Hopkins Dept of Neurology or take a musician to lunch.