From a young age, Philip regularly featured as a cornet soloist, appearing alongside his brother Matthew and father Stephen, accompanied by his mother Elaine. He gained a place in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain in 2000, where he became Principal Cornet on a number of courses and was a four-time winner of the esteemed Harry Mortimer Award. In the following years, Philip joined the Salvation Army’s International Staff Band and has since found himself making more frequent appearances as a soloist in his own right. High profile performances include the 2012 London Games, where he was a featured soloist at both the Olympics Closing Ceremony and the Paralympics Opening Ceremony.
While at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, Philip studied with Paul Beniston and world-renowned trumpet soloist Alison Balsom. Alongside his studies, Philip performed as Principal Trumpet with the European Youth Orchestra and began working with professional orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, London Chamber and BBC Symphony. He has also since appeared as Guest Principal Trumpet with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Philip was awarded Most Promising Performer in the prestigious Maurice André International Trumpet Competition 2006 and he received the Candide Award at the 2008 London Symphony Orchestra Brass Academy. By the time he graduated one year later, Philip had already secured his current post in the London Symphony Orchestra.
Despite his busy orchestral schedule, Philip maintains his interest in brass bands and is actively involved with the recently-formed Superbrass, Eminence Brass and Barbican Brass ensembles. Philip has recorded two solo albums: ‘Life Abundant’ in 2007, accompanied by the Cory Band and organist Ben Horden; and, more recently, 'Songs from the Heart' accompanied by the International Staff Band. Philip can also be heard on a variety of feature film soundtracks, including ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Parts 1 & 2)’, ‘Twilight: New Moon’, ‘The Pirates’, ‘Shrek Forever After’, ‘A Better Life' and ‘Rise Of The Guardians'.
