During my high school years, Mr. Cox conducted several PMEA honor orchestras in which I performed. By this time, I was closely observing the conductors at these events. I was becoming aware of the characteristics I thought made a great conductor at and teacher at these festivals. In many ways, I wanted to become a conductor because of Mr. Cox. He always had the group right in the palm of his hand. His engaging personality and constant sense of humor made me want to perform while in his groups at my very best. I have often thought that he was the quintessential role model for the job of conducting honors orchestras. And, I decided as a high school senior that one of my primary goals in music education was to become a guest conductor of high school groups. This was largely due to the example of Clifford Cox.
I went on to attend his Alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania as a music education major focusing on violin. When I got out of school, I realized quickly that my goal of conducting would require more focus and schooling, which I continued to pursue. I received my first offer to conduct an honors group by my second or third year of teaching. There must have been a small newspaper article published about that little elementary honors festival I conducted. I received a note of congratulations from Cliff on the opportunity and successes of the event. As I went on conduct other district and regional PMEA events in Pennsylvania, Cliff always had an eye on the news and would frequently drop me a note of congratulations. I realized during those years that I had a true supporter and mentor who was interested in my work, my successes, and my accomplishments. I respected him so very much and his attention really gave me they confidence to keep going.
In the late 1990s, my parents bought a condominium in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I found out that Cliff had a beach home there as well. In the coming years, he and I met for coffee on a number of occasions to talk about music education, conducting, our lives and families, along with many other topics. We began making that transition to friends.
A few years ago, a large box showed up on my doorstep. When I opened it, I found 20 or 25 amazing books on a variety of musical topics that were gifted to me from Cliff. I called him up and he told me that he was clearing out his office and thought that I would appreciate these various books. I read every one of them from cover to cover and a couple of them are still my favorite books in my library.
In 2024 I was honored to conduct the Pennsylvania All State Orchestra in Erie and it meant so much to me to hear from him after the event. I had the opportunity to tell him that he had been one of my strongest conducting models. My success and opportunities were a direct result of the example that he provided for me.
Cliff and I exchanged emails as recently as November 2025. I was conducting a regional PMEA honors string orchestra in Pittsburgh and he reached out to wish me well with the event. He asked me what repertoire I was programming and we had a lovely exchange of emails. As always, he was affirming and supportive. I really hope he was proud of the role he had played in my career.
Mr. Clifford Cox will certainly be missed. His wonderful sense of humor, his sharp intellect, and his musical knowledge were a perfect example for me as a young musician. His affirming personality was a perfect support for me over the past 40 years. He example and legacy will certainly live on through my work and the work of others for many, many years to come.
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