William Parke

William Thomas Parke (15 February 1761 – 26 August 1847) was an English oboist and composer. He played in notable concerts of the day; in retirement he published Musical Memoirs. Life Parke began his musical studies in 1770 under his elder brother John Parke, learning the flute and the oboe; later from William Dance he studied the violin, from Charles Rousseau Burney the piano, and from Charles Frederick Baumgarten music theory. In 1775–6 Parke sang in the chorus of Drury Lane Theatre, and in 1776 he was regularly engaged there and at Vauxhall Gardens as a viola player. The oboe especially attracted him; in 1777 he was second oboe at Drury Lane theatre and in 1779 appeared as an oboist at Vauxhall Gardens. In 1783 he became principal oboe at Covent Garden Theatre, succeeding Sharpe. He had not yet attained his brother's eminence, and was called "Little Parke" when he played at the benefit concert of the elder musician. Parke held his post at Covent Garden for forty years, William Shield occasionally writing an effective obbligato for him. The soprano Margaret Martyr had become his mistress by 1787; they had two sons.