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Richard Cox




                                           1928–2020





























            Richard G. Cox left this world in peace, surrounded  2011.) Richard founded and directed the Bel Canto
         by his family and by the sounds of his favorite music, on  Company (1982-1987) and guided choral preparation
         the night of December 25, 2020. He was 92. A native  for the Greensboro Opera Company. He was president
         North Carolinian with degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill  of the Southern Region of ACDA (1967-71) and the NC
         and a diploma in voice from the Paris Conservatory, he  chapter (1984-86), and for decades served on the Na-
         completed the PhD in music history and literature from  tional Committee on Research and Publications. Awards
         Northwestern University, where he met his future wife,  include the Lara Hoggard Award and the Choral Ex-
         Mary Alicia.                                       cellence Award (Southern Region) and induction into
            After teaching at High Point University for fi ve years,  the North Carolina Music Educators Association Hall
         Richard joined the faculty of UNC-Greensboro (1960–  of Fame.
         2002). Under his leadership, the School of Music de-  Richard profoundly influenced several generations

         veloped a national reputation in the choral arena. As  of students, colleagues, and friends. “A fi tting tribute to
         conductor of the UNCG Women’s Choir and Chorale,  Richard Cox” wrote Welborn Young, current conduc-
         he led performances at a national ACDA conference  tor of the Bel Canto Company, would be “to strive to

         in 1973 and five Southern Region conferences. From  learn more, teach with compassion, make beautiful mu-
         1963 to 2013 he served as choirmaster at Holy Trinity  sic from the heart and, most importantly, strive to be a
         Episcopal Church.                                  better person by loving more fully with a respect for all
            Richard edited choral works and wrote three books:  people with whom we share this brief journey.”
         Singers’ Manual of  German and French Diction (Schirmer
         Books, 1970), Singing in English (ACDA, 1990) and The  Written by John Cox and Anna Cox Trude
         Choral Music of  Benjamin Britten (Hinshaw Music, Inc.,



        CHORAL JOURNAL  April 2021                                                                   Volume 61  Number 9          51
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