Andrew Parnell
Assistant Director of The Ely Cathedral Octagon Singers
Andrew Parnell is delighted and privileged to be associated with Ely Cathedral and to work with the Octagon Singers. After twenty five years at St Albans Cathedral (1976-2001), this is an ideal way for him to continue in Cathedral music, and is part of his three-part portfolio of activities: organ-playing, conducting and composing.
In addition to his role at the Cathedral, he plays the organ as soloist and accompanist, and particularly enjoys his frequent appearances with The Really Big Chorus, directed by Brian Kay, in concerts both in the UK (Royal Albert Hall) and abroad. He has accompanied them to Cologne, Guernsey, Tenerife and Riga, and will be joining them in Trieste and Budapest in 2022.
Andrew’s regular conducting roles are with Ely Choral Society and Ely Youth Choir, as well as Wymondham Symphony Orchestra. With these groups, he presents up to a dozen concerts a year.
His compositions range from church music (Christmas Carols, canticles, responses and anthems), choral concert works (commissioned by choirs both from Ely and further afield), and orchestral and chamber works.