The Roderick Cox Music (RCMI) Initiative began in 2019 as a program to nurture the next generation of musicians.
Funds from the RCMI are designated for summer camps, instrument repair/purchases, advanced training programs, private lessons, and mentorship by Roderick Cox and professional musicians in the area. The goal of RCMI is to help make the pathway for young musicians of color a little easier by alleviating financial burden, and providing the necessary networking and training needed to be a successful musician.
RCMI has awarded over $90,000 in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 and has partnered with WalkerWest Music Academy and MacPhail Center for Music.
Conducting Life Documentary
The Conducting Life documentary, filmed over 7 years by filmmaker Diane Moore, follows the musical and personal journey of conductor Roderick Cox from his childhood in Macon, Georgia into the classical musical world, observing firsthand what it takes to succeed at the highest levels in the intensively competitive profession of orchestral conducting.
RCMI Scholarship Recipients
January 2023
Macphail Center for Music
Ian de la Cruz (15- Cello
Tobias Davis (13)- Cello
Oliver Tatum (14)- Viola
Omari Franklin (12)-Clarinet
January 2023
Walker West Music Academy
Wacheke Njoroge (18) – Violin
Rahel Hashel (17) - Violin
Kamau Rodriguez-Pegg (16) – Violin & Viola
Thomas Bates (15) – Violin
Keziah Fierst (15) – Violin
January 2022
Walker West Music Academy
Ream Hashel, 18 (Violin), Wacheke Njoroge,16 (Violin)
Rachel Hashel, 16 (Violin), Kamau Pegg-Rodriguez, 15 (Violin), Thomas Bates, 14, (Violin), Keziah Fierst, 13 (Violin)
January 2022
MacPhail Center for Music
Marley Christian, 17 (cello), Ian de la Cruz, 14 (cello), Francisca Jabana, 17 (violin), Dontevion Wilson, 17 (violin)
January 2021
Walker West Music Academy
Asla Hashel (viola) 12th grade, Rachel Hashel (violin) 8th grade, Thomas Bates (violin) 6th grade,
Kamau Rodriguez-Pegg (violin) 7th grade, Wacheke Njoroge (violin) 9th grade, Ream Hashel (violin) 11th grade
January 2021
MacPhail Center for Music
J'Kwon Anderson (violin) 9th grade, Marley Christian (cello) 10th grade, Dontevion Wilson (violin) 9th grade
January 2020
Walker West Music Academy
Rachel Hashel (13)/violin, Asia Hashel (16)/viola, Thomas Bates (11), violin, Ariam Hashel (18) viola
January 2020
MacPhail Center for Music
Dontevion Wilson (13)/ violin, Marley Christian (14)/ cello, J’Kwon Anderson (13)/ violin