David Parks, tenor

An educator and active performer, tenor David Parks has sung all of the major oratorio roles in the United States, Eastern Europe, with the Spoleto Festival in Italy, and at the National Art Festival in South Africa. In early November 2001 he sang the tenor solos in the Mozart Requiem with the Sarajevo Philharmonic in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and in October 2001 he soloed with the Syracuse Symphony in Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings. In both 1990 and 1992 he was awarded fellowships with the Bach Aria Group, and in 1989 made his Carnegie hall debut as tenor soloist in Mendelssohn's Elijah. In 1995 he returned to Carnegie hall as tenor soloist in a program of Schubert and Mozart Masses.

On the operatic stage Parks has sung roles with Syracuse Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Chautauqua Opera, Virginia Opera, Piedmont Opera, Arizona Opera, Ithaca Opera, Oswego Opera Theater, and Opera Delaware. Parks' appearances in more that 50 productions reflect a familiarity with a wide range of repertoire from Baroque opera to twentieth-century literature.

In the late spring and summer of 1991, parks made his performing debut in South Africa. During the three-month residency in South Africa, he performed leading tenor roles in Puccini's La Bohéme and Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte. In addition to fifteen operatic performances in Cape Town and Bloemfontein, Parks was heard at the South African National Arts Festival in both opera and oratorio, appearing as the tenor soloist in Mozart's Requiem Mass, the first American tenor to do so in several years. During summer festivals, Parks has been a guest artist at the Mauerbach Music Festival in Vienna, Austria, the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, the Anchorage Music Festival (AK) and the Skaneateles Festival (NY), and the Ash Lawn Festival (VA).

Parks holds several degrees: D.M.A., University of Arizona; M.M., University of Michigan; B.M.Ed., Westminster Choir College. Professor Parks joined the Ithaca College School of Music faculty in 1987. Ithaca College

For a more complete view of Dr. Parks' teaching, performing, other activities, current and former studio members, and to listen to audio and view video recordings: go to www.davidparkstenor.com .


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