Henry Parkes – Festival Organist

Henry Parkes - Festival Organist

Henry Parkes is an experienced accompanist, orchestral keyboardist and church musician. An eclectic career has so far seen him perform at the BBC Proms, the Royal Festival Hall, and Westminster Abbey, with orchestras LPO, RPO and ECO, and with the choirs of St Paul’s Cathedral, Christ Church, Oxford and St George’s Chapel, Windsor. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, and a past recipient of the Limpus Prize for performance and Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians.

Recording credits as organist include several discs of contemporary music with the Oxford-based choir Commotio and, most recently, a warmly-received CD of the choral works of Dr Harry Bramma. Equally at home at the piano, Henry has accompanied tenor Andrew Kennedy and former Classic FM sensation Summer Watson in concert, and has worked in masterclass with Graham Johnson. Until last year, he also worked as Associate Director of Music at All Saints, Margaret Street, in London’s West End.

Alongside his performing activities, Henry is actively engaged in academic research. He holds a doctorate in medieval music, and currently works as a Research Fellow at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. He is delighted to be returning to Tavistock this year as Festival Organist, having been involved with the Exon Singers since 2004.