Richard Cock was born in Port Elizabeth and educated at
Woodridge Preparatory School and the Diocesan College, Cape Town.
He pursued his musical studies at the Cape Town College of Music,
from which he graduated in 1971. In 1972, Richard Cock won a scholarship to the
Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), where he was awarded several prizes and diplomas.
In 1978 he became director of music at the Cathedral Choir School and assistant
organist at Chichester Cathedral. During his years in England he became a
Fellow of the Royal College of Organists
On his return to South Africa in 1980, Richard Cock, as Music Director, breathed new
life into the National Symphony Orchestra. His innovative spirit saw the orchestra expand
its horizons with open-air events, such as the successful Emmarentia Gardens Winter Series,
Musical Fireworks and Pops concerts, music in the zoo and tours from Cape Town to Cairo.
As conductor, he is in much demand countrywide for the popular Last Night of the Proms
concerts and Songs of Praise; new milestones in recent years were conducting his first
full-length opera, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, for PACOFS in Bloemfontein, and conducting the
Julian Lloyd-Webber South Africa tour. |
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However, it is as a choral trainer and conductor that Richard Cock is best known.
He was organist and director of music at St Mary’s Cathedral for 12 years and was elected a
Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music for his services to Church Music in South Africa.
He founded the SABC Choir (now the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg) and the internationally
recognized SABC Chamber Choir (now the Chanticleer Singers) 20 years ago.
Both are recognized as leaders in their respective fields. |
He is chairman of the Apollo Music Trust, and with Mzilikazi Khumalo, Musical Director
of the Nation-Building Massed Choirs Festival. He is on the Board of Trustees of
Business Arts South Africa and the Arts & Culture Trust of the President.
In 1999 he left the orchestra to pursue a freelance career and to stimulate music
activities throughout South Africa.
In May 2000, he received an Honorary Doctorate in music from Rhodes University.
Richard Cock is married to fellow musician Susan, and they have two children.
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