I came to Boston in 1992 in order to study with Mr. Cogan. My lessons with him between 1992-98 were formative, and his probing spirit continues to inspire me today. I felt so fortunate to see him on August 1, 2021 when I came to Boston just to visit him.  Mr. Cogan will continue to live in my artistic consciousness, his kindness will continue to feed my soul. My love to your family.

As teacher, mentor, colleague, dearest friend, Bob called upon, engendered, inspired to new longitudes and latitudes of force, expression, sensitivity, thoughtfulness, care, love. For him, thru him, creativity multiplies energies, connections, dimensions of thinking and relationship.To marketeering and careerism, his example was a “fierce singleness” to create otherwise and untimely!

I will never forget my introduction to Professor Cogan in my second semester of the Doctoral Seminar at New England Conservatory. His open mind, curiosity, excitement, and interest in all aspects of our work was inspirational, and continues to drive my own approach to understanding, teaching, creating, and sharing music. I am so grateful for having known Bob. Much love to your family!

To Bob’s fellow former students: he once shared that while he always looked forward to hearing from and having contact with his past students; his deep wish for each was that after graduating they “would be free of me.” He wanted each to develop and forge their own creative trajectories, presence, magnitudes without shadow or aping. He was not about having disciples; but to vector vectors…

Professor Cogan’s ability to perceive the inner workings of a broad range of musics was nothing short of astounding. I feel honored to have studied with him as a graduate student and worked as his teaching assistant, through which I learned how to probe the depths of scores and transcriptions. (cont.)

Since we both shared a passion for cosmology and contemporary physics, we had much to talk about beyond music, which allowed me to get to know him as a person. His aphorism that I continue to share with my colleagues is “All music is new music.”

Bob was an amazing listener!  His ability to pay attention to what he heard, and to make sense of it for himself and for others, has impressed me ever since I first met him in 1995.  As a musician, Bob had a keen perception of sound in all its nuances and complexities.  And in conversations, there was virtually nothing that escaped his notice, including things that remained unsaid.  This power of deep critical listening also lay at the heart of Bob’s teaching and is reflected in his work as a composer and theorist.  It is a quality that will I will continue to treasure in his music and writings.

Bob Cogan and I were graduate students together at Princeton in the early 1950s, and we resumed
contact for many years after I came to the Boston area in 1980. He was a wonderful musician and a probing
and original thinker.  I know that his former students greatly value his teaching, and his work will remain memorable to all of us.  

I'm very grateful to have known Bob for the past 5 years. His friendship and humor were touching and will be missed. His sharp intellect and perception, together with his strong work ethic will remain and example.
Sending love and strength to his family!

Bob was a great teacher, exemplar and a mentor.  His support was unconditional.  He was always a phone call away.  Many of his words echo through my brain to this very day, and will no doubt continue to do so.  His legacy, I believe, will be to have showed the musical world how to really listen.  <3

I met Bob 50 years ago at my first composition lesson-his teachings, writings and compositions  have shaped every aspect of my musical life. It was a great joy to get to know him and Pozzi as friends and my admirationfor him as a profound musical thinker continued to grow.  His brilliant mind was evident even in our recent conversation.  We mourn the passing of a precious soul.

I knew Bob (and Pozzi) in my role as a staff member at NEC.  While our interactions were few and far between, he was unfailingly thoughtful, gracious and kind and someone you were always happy to see.  My heart goes out to Pozzi and the rest of the family

I am saddened by the news of Bob's passing.  I knew him since my arrival at NEC in 1974 and especially during my years as President, I relied on him for his thoughtful insights into how NEC could always grow and improve.
My late wife Masuko and I had warm and happy memories of his and Pozzi's gracious hospitality at their Avon Hill home.  My condolences to Pozzi and the rest of his fami

A great loss to all of us!  I was a singer who performed several of his students' compositions and then he took an interest in me.  He was always so supportive of my talents and included me in various social occasions.  I recall that Bob & Pozzi's favorite dessert was a ginger Ice cream which they made themselves.  It was an honor to have performed two of Bob's compositions!

I was JUST going to call Bob this month to invite him to a concert I'm giving in October, featuring art/music pieces inspired by his teaching.  He encouraged my ideas when I was a theory graduate student at NEC, taught me to LISTEN for my own truth in music, and supported me as a young faculty member there.  I am sorry we couldn't reconnect one last time - safe passage to the stars, Bob!

My favorite quote of his was, "Every time someone buys 'Sonic Design,' I think it costs me a dollar." So glad to have had him as a teacher, and my warm sympathies to his family and friends for such a profound loss.

I will forever remember Robert Cogan's perceptiveness, razor-sharp mind, and the warmth of his character. Taking one of his famous theory seminars was a truly impactful learning experience that I carry with me as a touchstone for intellectual integrity.

Professor Cogan was a remarkable teacher, inspiring composer, and all-around renaissance man. I was privileged to take his music theory seminar where I learned how to visualize music. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, wisdom, and musical gifts with us. Rest In Peace.

Of all the teachers I have had, Bob had the most profound and lasting influence upon me. Every lesson or class was an revelation and inspiration. I have had many teachers, but one real mentor. I studied with him decades ago, yet who I am as a musician is largely because of Bob’s penetrating mind, caring guidance, and friendship. His passing is truly the end of an era. We have lost a giant.

Dr. Cogan - I wouldn't be where I am, who I am, I wouldn't be doing what I am doing now without him. I tell my students about lessons with him, and pass down the things he taught me. He was difficult in all the best possible ways. I wish I could have studied with him longer. But I know that everyday his lessons speak to me in some unique, crazy way. Shalom.

Professor Cogan was (and still is) a constant source of inspiration - the greatest teacher I have ever had. As a member of the very first DMA class in 1992 I had the good fortune to be in his theory seminars as well as go to his home once a month for composition lessons. His knowledge was vast, deep, and far-reaching. A witty, humble and kind man. We stayed in touch - thank you professor!

Bob was the first professor who broadened my awareness of the relationship with and interconnectedness between music and the whole of everything. I have such a deep place of love and respect in my heart for Bob and Pozzi, for their work and their humanity; gratitude!

Thanks to Dr. Cogan's unique methods and teaching, generations were encouraged to find new sounds, vibrations, and meanings in things they'd already begun to listen to and process. Personally, I felt deeply ready for work after graduation, in no small part due to his humorous  warning: "You know, all of the work we've done in here will never stop." Here's to hoping it doesn't. Thanks, RC.

I would never say very much around mr. cogan and he understood that. when he was excited or curious you could see it in his eyes. I've sat for hours with this page open; it still feels right to just be silent with him.

Dear Pozzi:

I'm sorry for your loss. I never met Prof. Cogan, but as your student at Wheaton College (BA in Music 1978), I was aware how influential he was to the NEC community.  I'm happy that the two of you were blessed with so many years together. May light perpetual shine upon him. Janna

Dear Uncle Bob, we simply loved you and Pozzi so very much. I am very sad that we could never get that French translation of Sonic Design we began together published.

Bob’s immense generosity and humanity will be missed by so many of us. His inspired and open-minded perspectives on music are a model for how to remain curious about everything and to never stop exploring. Knowing Bob and his work since the mid-1980s has continually been a source of renewal for me in my work and in my outlook on life. My condolences to Pozzi, Kali and all of Bob’s family.

Bob took me as his student at NEC in 1984. Since then Bob and his wife, Pozzi, were my teachers and close friends. I translated their book "Sonic Design" (1976) into Japanese that was published in Japan in 2009. During the translation, I visited them almost every month. The memory of them will cherish me forever.

I just belatedly learned of Bob's passing. His intellectual integrity and his generous curiosity will remain models for me forever.  I am sending condolences to the musicians and friends in his community as well as his family.
Judith Tick

I came across this site after a student of mine cited NEW IMAGES OF MUSICAL SOUND (which I still assign) in her final seminar paper. This led me to "google" Bob, which is how I learned of his passing. Bob's teaching had a profound effect on my life and the direction my career eventually took. He was a true original in a field (music scholarship) often dominated by conformity.

In an addendum, how nice it is to see names of my student colleagues from my time at NEC over 35 years ago! Bob was far ahead of his time--may his ideas continue to spread through the work of his students!