Philip Hanwell

Philip was educated at King Edward VII School in Sheffield. He gained a degree in music at Queen’s College, Oxford in 1974 and studied for the post-graduate Certificate of Education at Durham University in 1975.

He taught music at Gosforth School, Dronfield, and as Head of Music Department at Violet Markham School, Chesterfield, and recently, in 2002 retired from Head of Music at St Mary’s RC School, Chesterfield. He considers his achievements at St Mary's - a flourishing choir, orchestra, concert band and many other groups - to be those of which he is most proud, especially the series of musicals the school staged over a number of years; My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, Camelot, Fiddler on the Roof and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

 

Philip's first position as accompanist was to the Sheffield Oratorio Chorus from 1975, followed shortly by a spell with the Dronfield Light Opera Group. In 1987 he took up a similar role with the Derbyshire Singers and a year later took the position of Deputy Musical Director with the Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir.

Chesterfield Phil is now his only permanent musical commitment although he has accompanied Woodseats Musical Theatre Company in Sheffield in Jesus Christ Super Star and also Guys and Dolls in addition to playing at the Chesterfield Music Festival. He always says he gets the best of both worlds - the opportunity to play for rehearsals and sing in the concerts. We were particularly thrilled to sing Philip's compositions, 'The Shepherd's Carol', 'Peace at Christmas', 'The Wise Men's Song' and 'Christmas Time' at our Christmas 2004 concert and, again at Christmas 2005, 'I saw three ships' and 'Christus Natus Hodie'.

Members of the choir feel privileged to enjoy his talent, both as a pianist, and as our deputy musical director. He was recently made a life member in recognition of his long-serving and outstanding contribution to the choir.