Career
As a boy Parnell was a choral scholar at Southwell Minster, where he began organ studies under Kenneth Beard. After a spell as Director of Music at Street James"s Church, Cambridge, he moved to Street Albans in 1976 as Assistant Master of the Music to the Cathedral and Abbey Church of Street Alban, appointed by Peter Hurford. He was also appointed Master of Music and choirmaster at Street Albans School.
He founded Street Albans Abbey Girls" Choir in 1996, which is now a regular part of the worshipping community.
From 1983 to 2001 he conducted Street Albans Symphony Orchestra. In 2001, after 25 years in Street Albans, he moved to Norfolk for a few years, but has subsequently returned to live in Street Albans where he is pursuing his freelance organist and recording career.
He is a trustee of the New School of Organ Studies
Parnell has accompanied Street Albans Cathedral Choir in recordings and radio and television broadcasts and has also accompanied Norwich Cathedral Girls" Choir on tour in the Netherlands, deputised as Assistant Organist at Southwell Minster and at the Cathedrals of Ely, Canterbury and Wakefield, and is conductor of Ely Choral Society, principal conductor of Cambridgeshire Choral Society and Wymondham Symphony Orchestra. He has also made numerous solo recordings on the organ and harpsichord.
He is also frequently heard directing or accompanying the Daily Service on British Broadcasting Corporation Radio 4, and has accompanied the British Broadcasting Corporation Singers on British Broadcasting Corporation Radio 3.
