Charles E. K. Parris, Bass has served as a member of the United States Army Field Band Soldiers’ Chorus, the military’s premier professional touring musical ensemble. While enlisted, he was featured as a soloist with the ensemble, as well as the Columbus (OH), Jacksonville (FL), and Nashville Symphony Orchestras. He was also Non-commissioned Officer in Charge charge of his own vocal ensemble, Meade Camerata, and served as an enlisted conductor.

Additionally, Mr. Parris has performed as one of the twelve professional Gentlemen of the Choirs at Washington National Cathedral , Cathedra, the National Cathedral’s resident professional choir, Choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Reception, Cathedral Choral Society, Nashville Symphony Chorus and Chamber Singers, and the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville. Mr. Parris’ concert/oratorio solo credits include Handel’s Messiah, Mendelsohn’s Elijah, The Faure and Duruflé Requiems, Ich Habe Genug and other cantatas by Bach. His stage credits include “Uberto” in Pergolesi’s La Serva Padrona, “Porgy” in Porgy and Bess, both with Tennessee State University Opera Workshop, and “Lion” in “The Wiz” with Salama Urban Ministries, Nashville.

Mr. Parris holds the Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Cybersecurity Technology from UMUC, as well as the Bachelor of Science in Music from Tennessee State University where he studied voice with Dr. Darryl Glenn Nettles; his principal teachers have included the legendary bass-baritone Simon Estes, Inci Bashar Paige, Mark Oswald, and his current teacher, Marianna Busching. When not singing, Mr. Parris works as a cybersecurity professional in the D.C. Metro/Baltimore corridor.