John Parke (1745 – 2 August 1829) was an English oboist, performing at prominent concerts of the day.
John Parke studied the oboe under Simpson, and musical theory under Charles Frederick Baumgarten.
[1] In 1768 Johann Christian Fischer, an oboist from Dresden, first came to London: his performances stimulated Parke to greater ambition, and he improved his style; two years later he succeeded Fischer as concerto player at Vauxhall Gardens.
In 1771 he accepted an offer from David Garrick to become first oboe at Drury Lane Theatre.
[1] The Duke of Cumberland took Parke into his band, led by Baumgarten, in 1783, and the Prince of Wales employed him at his Carlton House concerts, with a salary of £100.