Brenda Wilks writes: In the early 1960s a young grammar schoolboy full of vitality and blond good looks raced upstairs on the bus surrounded by pretty schoolgirls every school day. While still a student he mesmerised an audience at a local secondary school when he directed a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This was Richard Hickox. I wonder how many of the young people who performed with him then have followed his career, as I have? The vicar’s son who has given so much to so many and who never lost that vitality is a tremendous loss to the musical world.

Jane Gould writes: Richard Hickox taught singing at my school in the 1970s, and, while initially bewildered by his expectation of perfection in every note we sang and every synchronised consonant, we learnt to appreciate his dedication and caught his infectious enthusiasm. There was also huge and breathless delight when, in frustration, he occasionally hurled his score at any persistent talkers or contact lens losers.

I remember how surprised and disillusioned I was when, as a music student, I sang under well-known conductors of international repute. None of them could communicate with choirs like Richard Hickox did, nor produce the ultimate satisfaction of complete concentration and precision performance. I do hope that the heavenly host have their harps in tune. The choirs of angels won’t know what has hit them.

His Honour Judge Simon Wood writes: I had both the joy and privilege of singing for Richard Hickox with the Northern Sinfonia Chorus. In the course of many hours of rehearsal and so much memorable music making (Mozart’s Requiem, Amahl and the Night Visitors in the presence of Gian Carlo Menotti on his 90th birthday and the performance and recording of Sir John in Love, to name just three) he conveyed an irresistible, infectious and inspirational enthusiasm. He generated enormous affection and loyalty and, while we only occasionally exchanged words, we regarded him as a much loved and true friend. Thank goodness that, as a driving force behind its concept and creation, he managed to conduct one concert in The Sage Gateshead.