Upcoming Concerts.
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Online on Zoom
MUSIC TALKS WITH SUE CØCK
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about.
Richard Cock Music Enterprises
Richard Cock Music Enterprises is an umbrella body covering a multitude of activities connected by music. Richard Cock is first and foremost a musician and conductor who conducts throughout South Africa and its adjacent territories and further afield. He is equally at home in the concert hall working with leading soloists like Joshua Bell, Lynn Harrel, Julian Lloyd Webber or Pavarotti to conducting open air spectacular concerts like Starlight Classics or interactive concerts where his audience-friendly presentation wins converts to music. Many people feel he has done more than anyone in South Africa to popularize classical music and he is always looking for new and innovative ways to bring music to new audiences. He is also active in choral music - often in small towns building up community activities through music, or leading team building exercises for large corporates to big choral works with full orchestra.
Apollo Music Trust
The Apollo Music Trust was founded in 1981 by Richard Cock and Nick Lewis as a platform for South African performers and as a vehicle to provide financial aid to students pursuing tertiary level music studies. There have been dozens of beneficiaries, many of whom have gone on to extremely successful performing or teaching careers. Another important aspect of the Trust's work is educational concerts, many of which are given each year in venues as far afield as Limpopo and Heidelberg in the Western Cape.
Who is Richard Cock?
Richard 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, where he graduated in 1971. In 1972, he 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. After his return to South Africa in 1980, Richard breathed new life into the National Symphony Orchestra as Music Director from 1991.
However, it is as a choral trainer and conductor that he 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 Symphony Choir of Johannesburg and the internationally recognized Chanticleer Singers in 1980. In 1999, Richard left the orchestra to pursue a freelance career and to stimulate music activities throughout South Africa. As a conductor, he is in much demand countrywide.
In May 2000, he received an Honorary Doctorate in music from Rhodes University. In 2012 he received a Parnassus Award from Stellenbosch University and in 2013 a special award from the ATKV for his 30 years’ dedication to spreading the love of music in South Africa. In November 2014 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arts & Culture Trust, and in March 2020 he was awarded the Robert Grey Medal from Bishops College for distinguished achievements by an Old Diocesan, as well as a Luminary award from Michaelhouse in recognition of his contributions to the development and promotion of South African music and artists.
He is chairman of the Apollo Music Trust, and, together with Florian Uhlig, he directs the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival which is held every January.
Hire Richard or the Phoenix Orchestra
add some sparkle to your event!
Richard is not only a conductor, but an MC, speaker, and educator as well. Contact us at Richard's office to receive a quote.
PIANO INDUSTRY
Richard's preferred company for concert tuning and piano servicing
Contact: info@pianoindustry.co.za or 061 188 7036
or visit their website
