Well-known woman musician dies

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32588, 23 April 1971, Page 5

Well-known woman musician dies

A woman who was well known and respected in Christchurch musical circles died in the city recently. She was Mrs Nell Cocks, whose association with music and musicians in Christchurch covered a period of 65 years. She was a pianist for silent films, an accompanist for musical groups and the Christchurch Competition Society, and, as well, taught the piano and singing. For a period, Mrs Cocks was accompanist with the Liederta--1 fel Choir, the only woman to have held the position. Her work also included providing entertainment programmes for many organisations in Christchurch, including the women’s section of the R.S.A., the Hard of Hearing League, the Canteri bury Travel Club, the I National Party, the Cale.donian Society, the Business I and Professional Women’s Club, the Royal Overseas

League and the Canterbury Women’s Club, of which she was a member for 22 years. Until her retirement in 1968, Mrs Cocks was the official accompanist for the Caledonian Society. She held this position for 24 years. WIDOW OF MUSICIAN Mrs Cocks was the widow of Mr J. H. Cocks, who was also active in musical circles. At the time of his death six years ago, he was a life member of the Liedertafel Choir.

The pupils of both Mr and Mrs Cocks won numerous singing award in Australia and New Zealand. Mrs Cocks’s pupil, Heather Smith, was the first non-Auckland resident to win the coveted John Court Aria Contest in Auckland 11 years ago. Mrs Cocks is survived by her daughter, Mrs N. Hawker, three grandchildren and three great-grand-children.