Richard P. Walters
MILWAUKEE – Rick Walters passed away April 19 at age 67. Rick was preceded in death by his beloved mother Bettye Jo (Betsy), stepfather Harvey Hinrichs, father Paul Walters, and brother Robert Walters. He is survived by brother John Reed Walters, stepbrother and sister-in-law Dustin and Chris Hinrichs. nephews Jon and Joe Hinrichs, stepmother Lou Walters, and many other family and friends.
Rick was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa where he studied piano with Dr. Robert L. Larsen, voice with Douglas Duncan, and composition with Sven Lekberg, receiving a Bachelor of Music Education Degree. He received his Masters of Music Degree at the University of Minnesota in Theory and Composition, studying composition with Dominick Argento, who became his lifelong mentor. Shortly after graduating, he moved to Milwaukee for a job as a keyboard editor at Hal Leonard Publishing. He ascended to the role of VP of Classical & Vocal Publications over his 39-year career there.
Rick’s many iconic projects include the Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology series, dozens of opera anthologies, the Schirmer Performance Editions series, a new edition of 28 Italian Songs & Arias of the 17th & 18th Centuries, and collections of music by Benjamin Britten, Samuel Barber, Stephen Sondheim, and even Mel Brooks. It is safe to say that there isn’t a vocal student in America from the last several decades who hasn’t sung from a book that Rick touched. In 2011, he pioneered the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition, which hosted tens of thousands of vocal students and launched several professional careers until it ended with Rick’s retirement in 2023.
Even after retiring, he continued to make a difference in the music community, particularly with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, where he served on the board and mentored budding composition students.
He was also well known in the Milwaukee area as a music reviewer of classical music and musical theatre performances.
A Celebration of Rick will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Hall, 325 West Walnut Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Donations in Rick’s name can be made to MYSO (Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra) or NATS (National Association of the Teachers of Singing).
