Professor Emeritus, Organ and Church Music Steven Cooksey ’89, Ph.D., passed away at the age of 83 on Monday, March 10. Shenandoah Conservatory joins the larger Shenandoah University community in mourning the loss of an esteemed member of our institution and celebrating his contributions to our learning community and beyond.
Dr. Cooksey came to Shenandoah in 1972. He was responsible for overseeing the installation of the pipe organ in Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall, and founded Shenandoah’s Bach-Handel Festival which served as one of the conservatory’s finest music festivals supported by the community. He also founded the summer Church Music Institute. During his tenure, Cooksey designed and taught all courses in church music, and instructed in music history, music literature and conducting for both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He was known by his students as a “gentle giant” — always gracious, respectful, humble and unselfish — and will be remembered for his commitment to his students, always willing to give hours of extra time to help them achieve their goals. Cooksey retired from Shenandoah University in 2014.
He also served as organist and choirmaster for St. James Episcopal Church, Leesburg, Virginia.
Cooksey earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Evansville College, a Master of Music from Syracuse University, a Master of Business Administration from Shenandoah University and a Doctor of Philosophy from Washington University.
Visit ompsfuneralhome.com to read his obituary.
