Samuel Hall Obituary

Hall
Samuel Foster Hall
July 3, 1930
October 23, 2023

In over 93 years of Life, Samuel Foster Hall was a Better Angel with some scratches on his halo to prove he also knew how to enjoy this mortal life. He was a beloved Husband, Papa, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and friend. He died peacefully after a quick decline attributed to old age. He will be very much missed by those who were fortunate enough to know him.
Hall grew up in Colorado Springs, attending Cheyenne Mountain High School and The Fountain Valley School of Colorado. He received a BA in musical composition from Pomona College and did graduate work at Boston University and the L'Ecole Monteux. He lived in New York and San Fransisco before returning to Colorado Springs in 1982, bringing his audio engineering company Play it Again Sam (est. 1968) with him. Hall reports that (in regards to business), "all of this was to support my habit of composing music."
Samuel Foster Hall's compositions have been played by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic (under the direction of Joann Foletta), Colorado Springs Chorale, Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, Colorado College Summer Music Festival, SoundScapes, Abendmusik, Little London Winds, The da Vinci Quartet, Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, at Fort Wayne, Indiana, Northwestern University, and by many other musical companies. He composed symphonies, concertos, choral pieces, a wedding processional (for daughter Alicia Hall Gold), band music, The Broadmoor Rag, and even a cello piece in memory of a dog named Daisy. Sam explained that musical composition was unique among the arts as it doesn't exist until people come together to create the sounds of a piece. The collective effort of bringing the musical score to life is what fascinated him the most about composing music.
Sam Hall's love of his fellow human, with various talents and even eccentricities, was inspirational. He was known by friends as a gentle, nurturing, and kind man with a twinkle in his eye. He was known for living life well. He and Mary Alice hosted many evenings, adventures, and were gifted at creating memorable conversation around the table. Sam's stories of a Highly Unusual Life could be both poignant and hilarious. Around town, Sam was known to many local business owners as a loyal patron and friend.
Sam Hall centered his life around his wife, Mary Alice Hall. The affection and close companionship they shared was a blessing to all who spent time with them. As a couple, they shared humor, curiosity, a love of classical music, optimism and many added pages in thick and well-used US Passports. We all looked forward to hearing about their travels around the world, especially by train. Sam's wry and colorful stories of their various misadventures left his family and friends laughing along with them.
Sam Hall is survived by his dearly loved wife Mary Alice Tudor Wood Hall, daughter Alicia Hall Gold (of whom he was endlessly proud) and grandchildren Becky Gold, Andrew & Andie Gold and Matt Gold and a great grandson Leo Gold. He is also survived by stepdaughters Angela Wood and Shelley Wood (and their partners), step-grandchildren Willoughby, Eliot, Elizabeth and step great-grandchildren River, Henry and Sylvia. Sam had many friends who preceeded him in death and those of a younger age who will remember him as a man with an open mind and heart. He supported The Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Colorado Youth Symphony, Imagination Celebration, KCME radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, Pikes Peak Hospice, Gold Key Senior Services and others.

A Celebration of Life will be held at some future date. Donations to his favorite causes (listed above) in his memory would be appreciated by the family.