concerts.
For more details on each event please visit the booking and information links.
Christmas Cracker
(Pretoria)
For the last 44 years, Richard Cock and the Chanticleer Singers have presented this sophisticated programme of words and music for Christmas. The music is wide ranging and entertaining and as always will be expertly performed by one of South Africa's leading Chamber Choirs. The carols are interspersed with readings, both uplifting and amusing.
This will be the final edition of this event, under Richard Cock's baton. For many people this event marks the beginning of the Christmas season, so do please come and join us.
​
When: 3 December, 11:00am
Where: Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, Pretoria
.png)
Advent Procession
This concert is free of charge and there is no need to book or RSVP.
More information will be given here closer to the time.
​
When: 3 December, 18:00pm
Where: St George's Anglican Church, Parktown
.png)
Christmas Cracker
(Johannesburg)
For the last 44 years, Richard Cock and the Chanticleer Singers have presented this sophisticated programme of words and music for Christmas. The music is wide ranging and entertaining and as always will be expertly performed by one of South Africa's leading Chamber Choirs. The carols are interspersed with readings, both uplifting and amusing.
This will be the final edition of this event, under Richard Cock's baton. For many people this event marks the beginning of the Christmas season, so do please come and join us.
​
When: 5 December, 7.30pm
Where: St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
Christmas with Richard Cock
Join us for a fun and interactive Christmas concert for the whole family!! The Symphony Choir of Johannesburg will be accompanied by The Phoenix Orchestra conducted by myself, and will feature internationally acclaimed tenor, Siyabonga Maqungo, as the soloist. These concerts date back to 1980, when I first came back to South Africa after my time in the UK, and they have been a firm favourite on the Johannesburg cultural calendar ever since. Join us at 3pm on Sunday 10th December at the Linder Auditorium.
When: 10 December, 3pm
Where: Linder Auditorium
.jpg)
Carols by Candlelight
Get into the spirit of the Christmas season with Carols by Candlelight!
Locals are invited to pack a picnic basket and set up their blankets and chairs on the great lawn of the award-winning estate to enjoy an evening of carol singing under the music direction of Richard Cock, who will be joined by tenor Siyabonga Maqungo.
The gates at Vergelegen open at 4pm and the Carol singing starts at 7pm.
When: 13 December, 7pm
Where: Vergelegen Wine Estate Lourensford Road, Somerset West
Bishops Carols
The annual Christmas Carols at Bishops is an event that should always be in ones diary. It is open for young and old(er) and always a wonderful evening. Richard Cock's sharp sense of humour and amazing musical talent will keep you in awe and entertained for the whole evening. Bring family and friends along and enjoy the evening with us. All donations accepted on the night, will go towards the ODU Bursary Fund. Seating is unreservd so arrive in good time in order to find parking and a good seat!
When: 16 December, 6pm
Where: Memorial Chapel at Bishops, Rondebosch
Izibusiso
Christmas with Richard Cock
The ever-popular Christmas extravaganza with Richard Cøck and his team is a wonderful fundraiser for Izibusiso Home for Abandoned Children in the township of Zwelihle, Hermanus. The concert features internationally renowned tenor, Siyabonga Maqungo, along with the Cape Town Festival Orchestra, for an afternoon of carols and Christmas festivities!
When: 17 December, 3.30pm
Where: NG Kerk in Onrus, Hermanus
9 Lessons & Carols
This concert is free of charge and there is no need to book or RSVP.
More information will be given here closer to the time.
​
When: 22 December, 18:00pm
Where: St George's Anglican Church, Parktown
Piano Recitals
at Villa Arcadia
As part of the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival 2024, we present two pianists of international standing, Gustavo Romero and Albert Mamriev. They will perform in the beautiful music room at Villa Arcadia (on the Hollard Campus) in Parktown.
Mamriev's program includes Mozart, Schubert and Brahms
​
When: 21 January, 15:00pm
​
Romero's program includes Mozart, Schumann, Sibelius and Rachmaninoff.
​
When: 23 January, 19:00pm
Organ Recital by Arvid Gast
(Pretoria)
As part of the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival, Arvid Gast, an international recitalist from Lübeck will be performing at St George's Anglican Church in Parktown. He will be performing Mozart Fantasie, Bach, Nishimura and Widor amongst others.
​
Where: University Chapel, Pretoria
When: 27 January, 15:00pm
Organ Recital by Arvid Gast
(Johannesburg)
As part of the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival, Arvid Gast, an international recitalist from Lübeck will be performing at St George's Anglican Church in Parktown. He will be performing Mozart Fantasie, Bach, Nishimura and Widor amongst others.
​
Where: St George's Anglican Church, Parktown
When: 28 January, 18:00pm
Online on Zoom
MUSIC TALKS WITH SUE CØCK
There are currently no talks going on, but as soon as there are the information will be here!
​
For more information contact Sue at sue.a.co@gmail.co.za
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. ​
​
Chanticleer Singers
​
​The Chanticleer Singers was formed in 1980 by Richard Cock and is regarded as South Africa’s leading chamber choir. Over the years their reputation and renown have grown as they have become known through radio and television broadcasts as well as public performances. Their repertoire is wide and extremely varied, and includes both serious and light music ranging from Renaissance to contemporary. Although generally concentrating on “a capella” music, the Choir has also appeared with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Transvaal Chamber Orchestra, the CAPAB Orchestra and the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra. A number of South African composers have written works specifically for them. In 1989 they gave the first ever live TV music broadcast in South Africa: Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, performed on Good Friday. Before and since then, they have been involved in many other TV productions.
​
Visit the Chanticleer Singers website for more information! Click here!
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 to add some sparkle to your event!
Richard is not only a conductor, but an MC, speaker, and educator as well. Contact us as Richard's office to receive a quote.