Robert Frederic Cox was a noted singer, composer and music educator.

Cox was the Professor of Singing (1949–53), Principal (1953–1970) and Principal Emeritus (1970-) at the Royal Manchester College of Music

Royal Manchester College of Music

The Royal Manchester College of Music was founded in 1893 by Sir Charles Hallé who assumed the role as Principal. For a long period of time Hallé had argued for Manchester's need for a conservatoire to properly train the local talent. The Ducie Street building, just off Oxford Road, was purchased...

 and then a singing teacher at RNCM from 1975 to 1984.

Distinguished pupils of his included: John Mitchinson

John Mitchinson (tenor)

John Mitchinson is an English operatic tenor. He made his début singing the role of Jupiter in Handel's Semele. From 1972 to 1978, he was associated with the Sadler's Wells opera company; during that time, he created the role of the Poet in Joseph Tal's opera Massada 967...

, Joseph Ward

Joseph Ward (singer)

Joseph Ward is an English tenor, formerly a baritone, who created roles in operas by Benjamin Britten and Michael Tippett. He has also made a career as a singing teacher – his pupils include Jane Eaglen – and opera producer....

, Ryland Davies

Ryland Davies

RYLAND DAVIES is a British operatic tenor.In the 44 years since making his operatic debut, Ryland Davies has firmly established himself as one of the most versatile and best loved of British tenors...

, Anne Howells, Elizabeth Harwood

Elizabeth Harwood

Elizabeth Harwood was an English lyric soprano. After a music school, she enjoyed an operatic career lasting for over two decades and worked with such conductors as Colin Davis and Herbert von Karajan...

, Sandra Browne and Ann Murray

Ann Murray

Ann Murray DBE is an Irish mezzo-soprano. She was born on 27 August 1949, in Dublin. She studied with Frederic Cox at the Royal Manchester College of Music and made her stage debut as Alcestis in Christoph Willibald Gluck's Alceste in 1974...

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