Richard Cook Wall

Richard Cook Wall, age 71, of Chapel Hill, NC, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2015, at Carolina Point Nursing Home in Durham, NC. A graveside memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 13th at 11:00 a.m. in the Old City Cemetery in Sandersville. Reverend Joe Buck will officiate.
Richard was the son of the late James Benjamin Wall Jr. and the late Miriam Cook Wall and raised in Sandersville where he attended elementary school through the eighth grade. He also attended Stetson University in 1966 and received his Bachelor of Music from Georgia College in 1971.
A talented pianist from a young age, Richard had a long and successful career beginning in New York City as a professional musician, conductor, and church organist. He was music director for several national tours, including Chicago (1980-82) and Whoopee (1981). He conducted Chicago for Bob Fosse on five national tours, appeared with Chita Rivera, Imogene Coca, and Mamie Van Doren, and was chosen by Richard Rodgers to conduct the 25th anniversary performances of The Sound of Music in New York. He worked as music director for the theater festival at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, in Santa Maria, California, 1985-88. He was a respected teacher and vocal coach throughout his career.
Upon locating to Chapel Hill in 1994, Richard managed the classical FM radio station WCPE. He also worked closely with Long Leaf Opera as a pianist, coach, and musical adviser, presenting many concert programs for the company. He was chorus master for Long Leaf’s Lost in The Stars and created and directed the Weill/Blitzstein Cabaret. He also conducted Into the Woods at United Church of Chapel Hill in 2013.
Periodically, Richard returned to Sandersville for fundraisers for the Sandersville Music Club by producing and directing musical theatre productions.
His many loves included grand opera, musical theatre, old movies, cooking, reading biographies and histories, and reminiscing about his “days on the road.”
Richard is survived by a sea of friends, students, and colleagues.
May and Smith Funeral Directors of Sandersville is in charge of local arrangements.