Bryan Beale

was my band teacher for three years at Central Kitsap Junior High.  Everyone always gives band teachers an inordinate amount of flak, compared to other teachers, who still get their own hefty serving of grumbling.  Me (and my lovely sister) along with a few more level headed people I know understood that they are people too, and usually extraordinary people.  Mr. Beale was one of those extraordinary people.  He was a great band teacher, who left the world yesterday morning when he was struck by an SUV that ran a red light.  He was enthusiastic about music and education.  He was a goofball with a lot of moral substance.  He played trumpet pretty darn well.  He thought I was a good kid.  He put up with a lot and accomplished more.  I was able to be a part of what I think was some quality music making with him, and during my time in his class I got my first taste of the awesome years I had ahead of me in music. And I'm really thankful for that.