The de Merc Chamber Choir is a Registered Charity (number 1095387) and is affiliated to Making Music (the National Federation of Music Societies) which represents and supports amateur vocal and instrumental music groups throughout the United Kingdom. Supported by Harlow Council.

Phil has enjoyed a lengthy career with such leading choirs as the London Symphony Chorus (LSC) and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields as well as numerous choral societies in the East London area.

Phil’s highlights with the LSC include the Russian premiere of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius and the world  premiere of Michael Berkley’s Or shall we die.  He has recorded extensively with both choirs, notably the Mahler 8th Symphony under Sir Simon Rattle.

As a bass soloist, Phil’s repertoire particularly includes the requiems of Mozart, Faure, and Brahms Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and the priest in Gerontius.

In 1997, Phil formed the Post Office Choir and conducted them in various carol services and performances of Rossini’s Petite Messe Solenelle, Mozart’s Coronation Mass, and Vivaldi’s Gloria.

He then formed Cantus in 2001 which has gained a reputation for being one of the country’s leading vocal ensembles both in the cathedral and the concert hall.

Phil has had a long association with the de Merc Chamber Choir as singer and occasional  conductor and he became permanent Musical Director in March 2011 following the tragic death of Adrian Jolliffe earlier in the year.

Outside of music, Phil has a love of motorbikes, fast cars, and model steam railways, and he shares his life with his partner, Sally.