Norman Cocker (30 November 1889 — 15 November 1953^[1]) was a Britishorganist, choir master and composer of church music, educational and light music.^[2]

Cocker was born inSowerby Bridge,^[3]Yorkshire, England, and became achorister atMagdalen College, Oxford. He was awarded the Organ Scholarship atMerton College, Oxford, but never completed his degree after being sent down, on his own admission, for not doing enough work. While at Oxford he conducted an ensemble called the Oxford University Light Music Orchestra, taking his amateur players throughArchibald Joyce waltzes and selections fromThe Merry Widow.^[4] Norman Cocker held the diploma ofARCO, obtained by examination in July 1911, winning the Lafontaine Prize for the highest marks that session in the playing tests.

In the First World War Cocker served with the16th Lancashire Fusiliers.^[5] He also learned to play every instrument of the orchestra during the war years.^[4]

He was appointed Assistant Organist atManchester Cathedral in 1920 under Archibald W. Wilson, becoming Organist and choral master there in 1943,^[6] and later held appointments in various churches and cinemas in the city, including Organist at theGaumont Cinema in Oxford Street (demolished in 1990).^[7]

Norman Cocker is today remembered mainly for his organ compositions, particularlyTuba Tune (1922), still often performed today and recorded many times.^[8] There is also a modern edition of four short organ pieces:Angelus,Trio,Interlude andPaean^[9] which have been recorded bySimon Lindley.^[10] Other works include choral anthems and hymns, and also several symphonies especially written for school orchestras, including the orchestra atChetham's School.^[11][12] Keith Swallow and John Wilson have recorded hisEight Piano Duets, Op. 5 (1913-15).^[5]

Cocker was also an amateur magician and a good cook.^[11]

• Free scores by Norman Cocker at theInternational Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)
• Tuba Tune, played by Simon Johnson on the Willis organ at Hereford Cathedral

• 1889 births
• 1953 deaths
• Musicians from Yorkshire
• British classical organists
• Cathedral organists
• British classical composers
• 20th-century British organists
• 20th-century British male musicians
• British male classical organists
• Musicians from Manchester
• Alumni of Merton College, Oxford

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata
• Use dmy dates from April 2022
• Composers with IMSLP links
• Articles with International Music Score Library Project links