Born in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire in 1972, Philip began playing the trombone at the age of eight. Much of his early playing was with local brass bands and at the age of 15 he gained a place in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

Wishing to expand his musical experiences, Philip subsequently auditioned for the National Youth Wind Orchestra and was offered the position of Principal Trombone; a position he held for four years,   including him   being featured as a soloist with the orchestra in Berlioz’ “Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale” at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Salisbury Cathedral   and at the 1992 BASBWE festival at Warwick University.

From 1990 – 1994, Philip studied at the Birmingham Conservatoire with Alwyn Green and Ken Shifrin and graduated with distinction, earning the highest mark of the year on the GBSM performing course. During his time at the Conservatoire, Philip performed with the CBSO under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle, and also with the Prince of Wales Brass Ensemble.

Following his studies in Birmingham, Philip was awarded a bursary to Study at the Royal College of Music with Lindsay Shilling and Susan Addison. During this post-graduate year, he was featured as a soloist in Derek Bourgeois’ Trombone Concerto and as a Sackbutt soloist in a recital at St. James’ Piccadilly. Philip made a return to Birmingham as soloist with the RCM Brass Ensemble at the annual 'Brass Explosion' event at Symphony Hall. He was also appointed Principal Trombone of the London Philharmonic Youth Orchestra during this time which led to his inclusion on the LPO extra list.

On completion of his studies, as well as building a busy freelance portfolio, Philip took a keen interest in teaching and taught for Wiltshire Music Service for two years, during which time he coached the brass section of the Wiltshire County Youth Orchestra and also performed the Rimsky Korsakoff Trombone Concerto with the Swindon Young Musicians Wind Orchestra. He is currently Head of Brass for the Milton Keynes Music Service and until recently coached the brass section for Bedfordshire County 2nd Orchestra.

Philip appears regularly as a freelance trombonist with orchestras nationally and also as a soloist, recitalist and clinician. He still stays in touch with his brass band roots with occasional contest performances with the Gresley Old Hall Band in South Derbyshire.