Rachel Marie Parkes: Soprano

Rachel, who is known for her “shimmering soprano voice”, graduated with honours from the School of Music at the University of Wales, Cardiff, in 2003.  During the degree course Rachel’s vocal engagements included country-wide performances with the award-winning female vocal ensemble Voices SA; coloratura masterclasses with Cardiff Singer of the World’s Ingrid Surgenor; guest appearances as soprano soloist with both Cardiff Bach Choir and Cardiff University Music Society’s Chamber Ensemble and Chorus; and premiering the 2002 composition “Carolau Mair”, by the renowned Welsh composer, Geraint Lewis. 

Rachel has performed in venues across Prague as the soprano soloist in Tippet’s “A Child of Our Time”, reached the final stages of BBC’s Choirgirl of the Year 1996, and is the singer of choice for the international Christian speaker, Adrian Plass, to perform on his UK tour dates.

Rachel also appears as a soloist on the much-praised original recording of “Singing The Mystery- Hildegard Revisited” by Dr June Boyce-Tilman, and has recorded a selection of sacred arias in conjunction with Archangel Recordings which was premiered on B200 fm in April 2006. Rachel also sang live on the air for the radio station to commemorate the life and works of Isembard Kingdom Brunel.

In 2006, Rachel traveled to Austria, where she premiered “Namarie”, praised by Classic FM radio station, and written in the Elvish language of JRR Tolkien by her husband Richard. She also performed a new arrangement of “Yarmouth Fair” by Peter Warlock, arranged for her by the Royal Opera’s Julian Baker.

Rachel is currently performing with Con Spirito in venues across the UK and has received a coveted education bursary from the Michael James Music Trust, which is awarded only to musicians of exceptional talent.

Rachel has also been a featured artist on BBC radio, and has performed live on the Live Music Friday show. Due to listener request, her performance on air has been made available for download from the BBC website.

Prizes and Bursaries Include: