Biography
Richard Cock
Conductor and countertenor from South Africa.
Richard Cock was born in Port Elizabeth and educated at Diocesan College, Cape Town. He pursued his musical studies at the Cape Town College of Music, from which he graduated in 1971, having also acted as organist and choirmaster of St Michael's Church, Observatory. 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 seven year stay in England, he performed widely throughout the United Kingdom, France and Norway.
Since his return to South Africa in 1980, Richard Cock has received numerous awards, including the SAMRO Prize for conducting, and an SABC Artes Award for Best Contribution to Serious Music. In 1987, he was made an Associate of the RSCM for his services to sacred music in this country.
Mr Cock, who is currently employed by the SABC as Music Adviser and General Manager of its orchestra, is Director of the SABC Choir and Chamber Choir, Director of St Mary's Cathedral, Chairman of the Apollo Music Trust and the RSCM (SA Northern Branch), Musical Director of the Transvaal Chamber Orchestra, and, with Mzilikazi Khumalo of the Caltex-Sowetan "Nation-building" Massed Choirs Festival. In addition to being one of Johannesburg's leading musical entrepreneurs, he is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, and was South Africa's first professional countertenor. (from booklet: Messiah sung in Zulu)
Richard Cock was born in Port Elizabeth and educated at Diocesan College, Cape Town. He pursued his musical studies at the Cape Town College of Music, from which he graduated in 1971, having also acted as organist and choirmaster of St Michael's Church, Observatory. 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 seven year stay in England, he performed widely throughout the United Kingdom, France and Norway.
Since his return to South Africa in 1980, Richard Cock has received numerous awards, including the SAMRO Prize for conducting, and an SABC Artes Award for Best Contribution to Serious Music. In 1987, he was made an Associate of the RSCM for his services to sacred music in this country.
Mr Cock, who is currently employed by the SABC as Music Adviser and General Manager of its orchestra, is Director of the SABC Choir and Chamber Choir, Director of St Mary's Cathedral, Chairman of the Apollo Music Trust and the RSCM (SA Northern Branch), Musical Director of the Transvaal Chamber Orchestra, and, with Mzilikazi Khumalo of the Caltex-Sowetan "Nation-building" Massed Choirs Festival. In addition to being one of Johannesburg's leading musical entrepreneurs, he is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, and was South Africa's first professional countertenor. (from booklet: Messiah sung in Zulu)