Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

January 25, 1965

 

Ben Parry is a renowned British conductor, composer, and singer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born in 1965 in London, Parry grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. His father was a professional cellist, and his mother was a music teacher. Parry started playing the piano at the age of six and later learned to play the cello and the guitar. Parry attended the prestigious Westminster School in London, where he was a chorister in the school choir. He went on to study music at the University of York, where he earned a degree in musicology. During his time at university, Parry was a member of the university choir and the chamber choir, and he also played in the university orchestra. After completing his studies, Parry began his career as a professional musician. He worked as a freelance singer and conductor, performing with various choirs and orchestras in the UK and abroad. In 1992, he joined the King's Singers, a world-renowned vocal ensemble, as a baritone. He remained with the group for 12 years, during which time he recorded numerous albums and performed in concerts all over the world. In addition to his work with the King's Singers, Parry also established himself as a conductor and composer. He founded the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain in 1995 and served as its artistic director for 18 years. Under his leadership, the choir grew in size and reputation, and it became one of the most respected youth choirs in the world. Parry also founded the London Youth Choir in 2012, which provides opportunities for young singers in London to develop their skills and perform in concerts. As a composer, Parry has written numerous works for choir, orchestra, and chamber ensembles. His compositions have been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and choirs, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. He has also written music for film and television, including the theme music for the BBC series "The Choir." Parry's achievements as a musician have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2005, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to music. He has also received the Queen's Award for Enterprise in recognition of his work with the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. In 2018, he was awarded the prestigious Cobbett Medal for services to chamber music. Throughout his career, Parry has been committed to promoting the importance of music education and encouraging young people to get involved in music. He has worked with schools and community groups to provide opportunities for young people to learn and perform music, and he has been a vocal advocate for the value of music in education. In recent years, Parry has continued to be an active performer, conductor, and composer. He has conducted numerous orchestras and choirs, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the London Symphony Chorus. He has also continued to write music, with recent commissions including works for the London Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. In conclusion, Ben Parry is a highly accomplished musician who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music.

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