BY RAY LINVILLE

Special to The Pilot

The Golf Capital Chorus has selected Robert Cox as its new director.

Cox brings highly regarded skills in show presentation, musical harmony and a capella singing to the group that has built a regional reputation for its annual charity show and performances at community events.

Musical Journey

Becoming the director of the chorus continues a lifelong musical journey for Cox, who grew up playing the tenor saxophone.

"I've always been active in music ever since I was a little kid," he says.

However, his interest in the sax gave way in college to a newfound passion for choral singing. As a student at East Carolina University, where he majored in music education, he joined every music ensemble he could.

"In college I was a member of every group - concert choir, opera theater, madrigal singers - all except the women's glee club," he says.

His new role as director of the Golf Capital Chorus builds not only on his music education but his experience in leading choral groups for 20 years. He has directed choruses in several areas of the state, including Raleigh and Wilmington.

Even as Cox becomes director of the local barbershop chorus, he retains his role as director of the barbershop chorus in Winston-Salem as well as a Masters Men, a 21-member ensemble in Raleigh that sings spiritual music.

In addition, he serves as vocal coach for several top barbershop quartets, including "Let's Sing" which has won the district quartet championship.

Cox succeeds Chris Boveroux, who directed the annual charity show in 2011 and helped the chorus earn the most improved chapter award for singing from the 28-chapter Carolinas District last year.

Local Chorus

Known throughout the Sandhills for their "singing Valentines" every February, the Golf Capital Chorus also supports the local community by making quartets available for special events and providing larger ensembles to sing at retirement centers, schools and seasonal programs such as Memorial Day events, Fourth of July celebrations, and tree lightings and Santa Claus arrivals that begin the Christmas season.

The chorus, which celebrated its 31st anniversary in August, also conducts an annual show each November to enrich the lives of others.

Because the chorus contributes some $22,000 annually to charities, the Barbershop Harmony Society has recognized it as the best in per capita charitable fund-raising of all chapters.

Membership in the chorus is open to any male singer who has an "ear" for music and likes to sing. Membership does not require a trained voice, much singing experience, or familiarity with barbershop music, which is a cappella (singing without instrumental sound -- the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing).

Prospective members are invited to visit a practice session at 7 p.m. on Monday nights in the fellowship fall of Community Presbyterian Church in Pinehurst.