Barry M. Amass

Barry Michael Amass, beloved husband of Sally Stallings Amass and resident of Edgewater, Maryland, passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2016 Born August 15, 1954, in Kingsville, Texas, Barry grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He received his BS degree in Music Education from Towson University and a MS in Communicative Disorders from Johns Hopkins University. He was an accomplished performer, composer and teacher. Barry was an outstanding saxophonist, and performed with a variety of Big Bands for over thirty years, including the Shades of Blue, Don Arnold Big Band, Riverside Jazz Band, Ed Williams Orchestra, and the Anything Goes Big Band. He was the founder, composer, and arranger for Mewzkl Publications, which specialized in new music for elementary and middle school string orchestras. His compositions have been performed by school music groups across the country and internationally. Barry was also an accomplished music arranger, serving as chief arranger for the Bay Strings Quartet. He was a retired instrumental music teacher from the Baltimore County Public Schools and over the last twenty years maintained a private music studio in his home in Edgewater, Maryland. Barry will be remembered for his kindness, his ever present wit, and his willingness always to help others. He loved his family and friends. He loved working on computers, composing music, performing music and teaching. He enjoyed photography. He was an avid reader and a life-long learner. He loved animals, especially his dogs, Honey, Emme, and Jay Jay. Barry is survived by the love of his life and wife of nineteen years, Sally Stallings Amass. He is also survived by his father, Charles Amass of Boynton Beach, FL., a brother, Keith Amass (Nicole) of British Columbia, and a sister, Sandra San Miguel (Phillip) of Lafayette, IN. He is also survived by four nephews and four nieces and a grandniece and grandnephew. He is pre-deceased by his mother, Margaret Amass. Friends are invited to share in Barry's life with his family at a visitation from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 and 10:00-11:00AM on Wednesday January 13th at the John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 where a celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, January 13th at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the Anne Arundel County ASPCA, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra or the Annapolis Chorale.