Upcoming Concerts.
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Introduction to the Orchestra
Saturday 29 August 2026, 11:00 | Linder Auditorium
Join us for an engaging, interactive concert for all ages. From the warmth of the strings to the brilliance of the brass, Introduction to the Orchestra offers a rare opportunity to experience the colours, characters and stories behind the music.
Presented by the Phoenix Co-Orchestra and hosted by Richard Cøck and Charl du Plessis, this engaging concert is designed for curious listeners of all ages - whether you are discovering the orchestra for the first time or hearing it with fresh ears.
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Take a Sad Song & Make it Better
Sunday 30 August 2026, 15:00 | Linder Auditorium
Perfect Sunday afternoon entertainment awaits with the ever-popular Charl du Plessis Trio, joined by the Phoenix Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Richard Cøck.
Take a Sad Song and Make It Better celebrates the timeless music of The Beatles in a vibrant crossover programme, featuring Charl’s signature jazz-infused arrangements of some of the world’s most beloved songs.
Songs of Praise Nelspruit
Sunday 13 September 2026, 15:00 | Hervormde Kerk, Nelspruit
Join us for an inspiring afternoon of music, faith and community that uplifts the heart and glorifies God. Featuring local choirs, talented musicians, and a community orchestra under the baton of Maestro Richard Cøck. All are welcome!
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Safari Strings
Thursday 17 September 2026, 17:30 | Francine’s Farmhouse & Venue, Marepe Road, Farm Chester, Hoedspruit
Safari Strings invites you to an unforgettable evening of music in the bush with Maestro Richard Cøck and the Phoenix Orchestra. Set against the beautiful surroundings of Francine's Farmhouse & Venue in Hoedspruit, enjoy a programme that journeys from the timeless masterpieces of Bach and Mozart to the beloved hits of ABBA and The Beatles. Your ticket includes a welcome glass of wine and a delicious three-course meal, creating the perfect evening of fine music, great food and warm hospitality beneath the African sky.
Sound of Children - Monday
5 October 2026, 18:00 | Linder Auditorium
Junior School choirs from twelve schools across Johannesburg come together to perform in this massed choir festival with the Phoenix Orchestra, conducted by Richard Cøck. Schools featured on Monday 5th October are:
St Andrew's School for Girls
St John's Preparatory School
Pridwin Preparatory School
St Peter's Girls Preparatory School
Sound of Children - Tuesday
6 October 2026, 18:00 | Linder Auditorium
Junior School choirs from twelve schools across Johannesburg come together to perform in this massed choir festival with the Phoenix Orchestra, conducted by Richard Cøck. Schools featured on Tuesday 6th October are:
St Mary's School, Waverley
Auckland Park Preparatory School
St Teresa's School
Roedean School (SA)
Sound of Children - Wednesday
7 October 2026, 18:00 | Linder Auditorium
Junior School choirs from twelve schools across Johannesburg come together to perform in this massed choir festival with the Phoenix Orchestra, conducted by Richard Cøck. Schools featured on Wednesday 7th October are:
The Ridge School
St Katharine's School
Kingsmead College
St Stithians Girls' Preparatory
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Harties Music Hub Launch & Concert
10 October 2026, 15:00 | Pecanwood College, Hartbeespoort
Join us for an inspiring afternoon of music-making in celebration of talent, collaboration, and community in the Hartbeespoort area. Hosted by Maestro Richard Cøck, and with the Phoenix Orchestra, this concert will feature school choirs, local soloists, instrumental groups, and marimba ensembles in a joyful showcase of the region's musical talent. All proceeds will benefit the Hartbeespoort Music Hub, whose vision to foster a vibrant local musical culture, encouraging participation, inspiring young musicians, and laying the foundations for a thriving musical community.
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Best of Baroque
11 October 2026, 15:00 | St George's Church, Parktown
Every year the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra gives a series of concerts at Shingwedzi in the Kruger Park called 'Baroque in the Bush'. Following the success of 'Best of Baroque' in the last two years, once again this year Richard Cøck and the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra bring you the best of what has been performed at Shingwedzi in a condensed programme. Join us at St. George's Church in Parktown for an afternoon of music by Bach, Handel, Telemann, Vivaldi and more.
The Ridge Choir Festival - Monday
12 October 2026, 18:00 | Linder Auditorium
Senior school choirs from thirteen schools across Johannesburg come together over 3 nights, to perform in this massed choir Festival, conducted by Richard Cock. On Monday 12th October, the schools who will be performing are:
St Mary's School, Waverley
St David’s Marist, Inanda
St Teresa’s School
Grayston Preparatory School
The Ridge Choir Festival - Tuesday
13 October 2026, 18:00 | Linder Auditorium
Senior school choirs from thirteen schools across Johannesburg come together over 3 nights, to perform in this massed choir Festival, conducted by Richard Cock. On Tuesday 13th October, the schools who will be performing are:
Roedean School (SA)
Auckland Park Preparatory School
Kingsmead College
Pridwin Preparatory School
St Andrew's School for Girls
The Ridge Choir Festival - Wednesday
14 October 2026, 18:00 | Linder Auditorium
Senior school choirs from thirteen schools across Johannesburg come together over 3 nights, to perform in this massed choir Festival, conducted by Richard Cock. On Wednesday 14th October, the schools who will be performing are:
The Ridge School
St Katharine's School
St Peter's Girls Prep School
Holy Rosary School
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Bishops Carols
16 December 2026, 18:00 | Memorial Chapel, Bishops
Join Richard Cøck, Massed Choirs and the Cape Town Festival Orchestra for an evening of carols, Christmas stories and other festive music! The programme will include many timeless classics. Join us for a very merry and musical Christmas!
Online on Zoom
MUSIC TALKS WITH SUE CØCK
There are currently no talks going on, but the information will be here as soon as there are!
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.
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