As a former examiner, both at grade and diploma level, Philip has an excellent knowledge of syllabus requirements, and gives specific in-house pre-examination coaching, and external master classes, for example, one for senior pianists at Plymouth College. As a consultant, he has been involved in syllabus-setting for the Electronic Organ, as part of the Trinity Guildhall Keyboard Syllabus at Grade and Diploma levels. Click to download a printable poster (A4).
Click for a map, or an aerial view, which includes travel, and other general information. If using Sat Nav, the postcode is PL9 8AL.
Click for a map, or an aerial view, which includes travel, and other general information. If using Sat Nav, the postcode is PL9 8AL.
A former secondary-school Head of Music, Philip now gives individual private lessons in Piano, Theory and General Musicianship, from Initial Grade up to Diploma Level, entering students for examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and Trinity Guildhall. As well as Classical Piano, students also can study for the Jazz Examinations of the ABRSM. Philip's fees reflect current EPTA (UK) guidelines. All lessons are given on his Steinway Model M Grand, regularly maintained by John Steuart, of Grantham Piano Services, in Philip's Plymouth (UK) studio, adjacent to the house. In May 2011, Philip's Steinway had a complete rebuild which took just over four months, and which has rendered the 1964 instrument virtually brand new again. Click for a (hopefully!) light-hearted diary of each stage in the process.
Musician & Music Writer
Philip is a member of the European Piano Teachers' Association (EPTA UK), and has also written music and software reviews, and articles for Piano Professional, the Association's magazine. Click to read some of these. An excerpt from his Maltese Islands Suite also featured in the September 2005 edition. He is also a member of the International Piano Teachers Group (IPTG). Philip's compositions, like the Five-finger Movement duets, are also very popular with his students. Leading UK writer of children's and adults' piano music, Pam Wedgwood wrote: 'I think your ideas are very sound and could work well!' Click for a down-loadable fact sheet.
Philip is ideally qualified to recommend the best course of study for the individual student. For those youngsters at the outset of their learning, the Initial examination from Trinity Guildhall provides possibly the best introduction to the examination system, in that it has (albeit in miniature) all the main components - scales, exercises, three pieces, and options which can include sight-reading, aurals and improvisation.
For exams up to, and including Grade 8, Philip usually returns to the ABRSM. However, the three-tier structure of Trinity Guildhall Diplomas, possibly with the prior option of the Advanced Certificate is then usualy preferred.
For exams up to, and including Grade 8, Philip usually returns to the ABRSM. However, the three-tier structure of Trinity Guildhall Diplomas, possibly with the prior option of the Advanced Certificate is then usualy preferred.
In 2004 Philip was involved in the publication of a new initiative in Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, specifically for use in the Elementary Music School. Piano Pieces & Exercises has been specially composed and arranged by Head, and former Deputy Head of Piano at the Josif Marinkovic Music School, Dragana Petkovic and Biljana Krstic. Pieces & Exercises was originally published in Serbia by Narodna knjiga. A small selection of pieces by Biljana and Dragana can be seen as part of Philip's catalogue at Score Exchange.
Tragically, Dragana (born1969) passed away suddenly in March, 2007.
Tragically, Dragana (born1969) passed away suddenly in March, 2007.
Philip's Sonatina for Piano Duet has been published by the Shanghai Music Publishing House, part of a Florilegium of solos and duets, for use as general teaching material across China
Philip hopes his lessons are both productive and fun - Plymouth College student, Tom 'CJ' Brooker, certainly seemed to be enjoying playing one of his Grade 2 Jazz pieces here to his schoolmates!
Philip hopes his lessons are both productive and fun - Plymouth College student, Tom 'CJ' Brooker, certainly seemed to be enjoying playing one of his Grade 2 Jazz pieces here to his schoolmates!
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| Isaac Chung | Jacquie Tan | Katy Morrison |
Here are just some of Philip's successes, past and present. But as virtually all his students remain with him before leaving the area, the photos aren't always a current likeness! Click here first, for a few 'thank-you-notes' from over the years.
Click each image to enlarge
Isaac Chung, now studying medicine, is a recent post-Grade-8 student, who then enjoyed dabbling in some jazz piano, Mozart and piano duets, seen here holding a couple of the cups he won in the City of Plymouth Music Festival when he was young. Click for a more recent photo, taken on a family break in Budapest, and for some more information about Isaac - or click here for a light-hearted impromptu videoclip of Isaac playing part of a piano duet with Philip.
Jacquie Tan grew up in Canada, learning to play the piano at the age of five. Before university, she completed her Grade 9 piano (with honours) at Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music. At Cornell University, she found it difficult to balance her work load and interests in music, and it was not until eight years later that she decided to start the piano again. She met and studied with Philip in Plymouth, with whom she obtained her ATCL (Recital) Diploma. Jacquie and husband, Kevin, a doctor, have now returned to Hong Kong to live and work, and where they have had their first child, Adrian [see inset]
Katy Morrison, originally from Gilwern, near Abergavenny, passed TCL Grades 7 & 8, while a student at the University of Plymouth, where she read Law and Business Studies. Katy finished her postgraduate studies at Sheffield Hallam University, gaining a Master's degree in Human Resources, in which field she now works. She still keeps regularly in touch, despite a busy life, as the photo of her, taken on a recent short break in Ibiza shows!
Jacquie Tan grew up in Canada, learning to play the piano at the age of five. Before university, she completed her Grade 9 piano (with honours) at Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music. At Cornell University, she found it difficult to balance her work load and interests in music, and it was not until eight years later that she decided to start the piano again. She met and studied with Philip in Plymouth, with whom she obtained her ATCL (Recital) Diploma. Jacquie and husband, Kevin, a doctor, have now returned to Hong Kong to live and work, and where they have had their first child, Adrian [see inset]
Katy Morrison, originally from Gilwern, near Abergavenny, passed TCL Grades 7 & 8, while a student at the University of Plymouth, where she read Law and Business Studies. Katy finished her postgraduate studies at Sheffield Hallam University, gaining a Master's degree in Human Resources, in which field she now works. She still keeps regularly in touch, despite a busy life, as the photo of her, taken on a recent short break in Ibiza shows!
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| Michael Adlington | Ruth Webb | The Squires |
Michael Adlington...excelled himself too. The A Level music scholar won three cups in the festival with an impressive piano solo in the advanced class, the novelty piano class, and the piano duet class... (extract from PLYMOUTH COLLEGE SWINGS WITH SUCCESS!), highlighting the school's Saltash Music Festival successesl. Michael passed his ABRSM Grade 8 with Philip, and subsequently gained 88 marks out of 100 (Distinction = 75) in his ATCL (Recital) Diploma. He graduated in Music from Cardiff University, took his PGCE at Bristol University, and is now teaching in the Bristol area.
Ruth Webb (née Hollick) passed her Trinity Performer's Certificate and ATCL Diploma with Philip, before studying at the Royal Northern College of Music. Recently married, she now combines a busy teaching career with performing and accompanying, including the Haydock Male Voice Choir since 2006. Ruth's father, Tony, a music librarian in Plymouth, founded the Laira Youth Band, in which all his six children have played at one time or another!
The Squires Family, however, has only five children! Philip started teaching the two eldest children, Hannah, who passed ABRSM Grade 8, and Rebekah, who passed her Grade 5. Philip still teaches Lydia, who has passed the Trinity Guildhall Advanced Certificate, and is now working towards the ATCL Diploma. Prior to that, he also taught Naomi and Jacob, who recently both passed their Grade 5. The picture, from a holiday in Tenerife, shows [left to right] Jacob, Lydia, Rebekah, Naomi and Dad (Tim), who is also an accomplished pianist and musician.
Ruth Webb (née Hollick) passed her Trinity Performer's Certificate and ATCL Diploma with Philip, before studying at the Royal Northern College of Music. Recently married, she now combines a busy teaching career with performing and accompanying, including the Haydock Male Voice Choir since 2006. Ruth's father, Tony, a music librarian in Plymouth, founded the Laira Youth Band, in which all his six children have played at one time or another!
The Squires Family, however, has only five children! Philip started teaching the two eldest children, Hannah, who passed ABRSM Grade 8, and Rebekah, who passed her Grade 5. Philip still teaches Lydia, who has passed the Trinity Guildhall Advanced Certificate, and is now working towards the ATCL Diploma. Prior to that, he also taught Naomi and Jacob, who recently both passed their Grade 5. The picture, from a holiday in Tenerife, shows [left to right] Jacob, Lydia, Rebekah, Naomi and Dad (Tim), who is also an accomplished pianist and musician.
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| Mick Atkinson | Charlotte Badham | The Hicks |
Mick Atkinson joined the Royal Marines Band Service in 1983 and was promoted to WO1 in April 2004, returning as Bandmaster of the Commando Training Centre Band at Lympstone, Devon. His previous draft was with the Plymouth Band in 2002, and it was here that Philip worked with Mick on his LTCL in Piano Performance, and assisted in his preparations for the performance component of his BMus (Hons) degree at the University of Portsmouth. Mick has now left the Royal Marines.
Charlotte Badham started piano lessons with Philip in 2003, gaining a Distinction in the TCL Initial, and first five ABRSM exams, and recently passed her Grade 8 with Merit. A former choral-scholar of Plymouth College and subsequently at Devonport High School for Girls, a talented singer, Charlotte, who has been involved with most of the city's leading children's musical-theatre companies, will shortly begin vocal studies at Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music - click either title, to hear Charlotte singing Somebody to Love by Queen, or, in complete contrast, The Prayer, recorded live in the beautiful acoustic of Buckfast Abbey, Devon. A while back she sang at Philip's charity concert in aid of Gables Farm Dogs' & Cats' Home, which gave Charlotte the opportunity for a photo-call with one of the home's canine stars, Danny the Lurcher! The current picture is part of a set of publicity shots for Charlotte's prospective musical-theatre productions and roles.
The Hicks Family began lessons with Philip in 2005. William [right of picture] has passed his ABRSM Grade 4 exam as, more recently, did Anastasia [left] and both are now working towards Grade 5. Oliver [centre], has just passed Grade 4, and is starting out on Grade 5. The 'children' are fortunate as Dad, Stephen, learnt the piano himself, and is occasionally able to help with their practising during the week.
Charlotte Badham started piano lessons with Philip in 2003, gaining a Distinction in the TCL Initial, and first five ABRSM exams, and recently passed her Grade 8 with Merit. A former choral-scholar of Plymouth College and subsequently at Devonport High School for Girls, a talented singer, Charlotte, who has been involved with most of the city's leading children's musical-theatre companies, will shortly begin vocal studies at Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music - click either title, to hear Charlotte singing Somebody to Love by Queen, or, in complete contrast, The Prayer, recorded live in the beautiful acoustic of Buckfast Abbey, Devon. A while back she sang at Philip's charity concert in aid of Gables Farm Dogs' & Cats' Home, which gave Charlotte the opportunity for a photo-call with one of the home's canine stars, Danny the Lurcher! The current picture is part of a set of publicity shots for Charlotte's prospective musical-theatre productions and roles.
The Hicks Family began lessons with Philip in 2005. William [right of picture] has passed his ABRSM Grade 4 exam as, more recently, did Anastasia [left] and both are now working towards Grade 5. Oliver [centre], has just passed Grade 4, and is starting out on Grade 5. The 'children' are fortunate as Dad, Stephen, learnt the piano himself, and is occasionally able to help with their practising during the week.
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| Erika Sun | Pat Mahon | Patrick & Catherine Zhang |
Erika Sun is currently working towards her Grade 5 Piano, having successfully completed the first four practical Grades, and Grade 5 Theory. Philip always aims to make lessons as much fun as possible, but the cuddly toy (Jack-Jack from The Incredibles), isn't usually part of the curriculum! Erika's former primary school sent each Year 6 student home with Jack-Jack for a night, and they then wrote a short diary about what he got up to! However, Erika thinks this was his first piano lesson!
Pat Mahon passed TCL Grades 6 & 7, before continuing her studies at Trinity College, London. She now specialises in Early Music, and is a fine recorder player and accomplished singer. The picture shows Pat [centre], with members of her ensemble, Mean Time.
Patrick Zhang was born in China, and now lives in Bude, North Cornwall. He started playing the piano at five, gaining his ABRSM Grade 8 with a high Merit at fourteen, and has also passed the Trinity Guildhall Advanced Certificate. Pat's lessons were no easy matter either, involving a round-trip of some 120 miles every few weeks or so. He will shortly study Medicine in London, while his younger sister, Catherine, who has recently passed her ABRSM Grade 5, also with a high Merit, will still continue her lessons. Philip's current longest-travelling student, however, makes the journey from Worcester, a round-trip of some 350 miles - though lessons, of course, aren't scheduled fortnightly!
Pat Mahon passed TCL Grades 6 & 7, before continuing her studies at Trinity College, London. She now specialises in Early Music, and is a fine recorder player and accomplished singer. The picture shows Pat [centre], with members of her ensemble, Mean Time.
Patrick Zhang was born in China, and now lives in Bude, North Cornwall. He started playing the piano at five, gaining his ABRSM Grade 8 with a high Merit at fourteen, and has also passed the Trinity Guildhall Advanced Certificate. Pat's lessons were no easy matter either, involving a round-trip of some 120 miles every few weeks or so. He will shortly study Medicine in London, while his younger sister, Catherine, who has recently passed her ABRSM Grade 5, also with a high Merit, will still continue her lessons. Philip's current longest-travelling student, however, makes the journey from Worcester, a round-trip of some 350 miles - though lessons, of course, aren't scheduled fortnightly!
Philip also teaches private students from Plymouth University, some of whom are studying Music as part of their degree, or from other academic areas. His latest success here, for example, was a final-year student in Marine Sports Science, who gained a Distinction in his ATCL (Recital) Diploma.
His most recent diploma candidate scored 95 marks out of a possible 100 (Distinction) in her ATCL (Recital) at the end of 2012.
His most recent diploma candidate scored 95 marks out of a possible 100 (Distinction) in her ATCL (Recital) at the end of 2012.
