Arrangements for Richard Cock's Songs of Praise on Sunday, 17 March are well underway. This is the 6th year Group Editors supports local charities by helping the local music society, school choirs and the South Cape Symphony orchestra to bring Songs of Praise to the Garden Route.

Richard Cock was born in Port Elizabeth and pursued his musical studies at the Cape Town College of Music, from which he graduated in 1971. In 1972 Cock won a scholarship to the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) and 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 he later breathed new life into the National Symphony Orchestra as Musical Director. His innovative spirit saw the orchestra expand its horizons with open-air events, such as the successful Emmarentia Gardens Winter Series, Musical Fireworks and Pops concerts, music in the zoo and tours from Cape Town to Cairo.

Tickets (R70 for adults and R30 per child) are available at the offices of the George Herald, Knysna-Plett Herald, Mosselbay Advertiser and Oudthsoorn Courant. No seats are reserved and seating on the day is on a first come first seat basis.

Doors will open at 14:15 for the concert at 15:00 in the George Civic centre.

Please contact Deon Joubert on 044 8742424 for more information.