Phillips, Harvey, 1929-2010

Robert Russell Bennett was an American composer, orchestrator and conductor.

Harvey Phillips has performed as tuba soloist throughout the world. His music career began as a teenager with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Band. From 1950-71 Phillips maintained a freelance career in New York City, performing, recording and broadcasting with famous artists, conductors, bands and orchestras. In 1954, he was a founding member of the New York Brass Quintet. He served as personnel manager for Symphony of the Air, Leopold Stokowski, Igor Stravinsky, and Gunther Schuller. At New England Conservatory Phillips held the position of Vice President for Financial Affairs (1967-71). In 1971, he was appointed to the Indiana University faculty. For ten years (1986-96) Phillips served as Executive Editor of The Instrumentalist magazine. He has structured and hosted many international conferences and festivals in the United States, Europe and Japan. He served as judge for the Concours International d'Exécution Musicale (CIEM) First International Solo Tuba Competition (1991), Geneva, Switzerland. His honors include: Principal Tuba, Circus Hall of Fame Band (selected by Merle Evans); Kappa Gamma Psi Distinguished Service to Music Medal (1979); Association of Concert Bands "first" Mentor Ideal Award (1994); Sousa Foundation Sudler Medal of the Order of Merit award (1995); National Band Association Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts Award (1995); United Musical Instruments Lifetime Achievement Award (1996); American Bandmasters Association Edwin Franco Goldman Award (1996); Rafael Mendez Brass Institute Lifetime Achievement Award (1997); Colonial Euphonium-Tuba Institute Development of Musical Artistry & Opportunities Award (1997); and the Phi Mu Alpha Orpheus Award (1997). Harvey Phillips Day has been celebrated by the New England Conservatory (1971) and by his home town Bi-Centennial Celebration, Marionville, Missouri (1976). In 1985 the Governor of Missouri declared a Harvey Phillips Weekend. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Music from New England Conservatory (1971) and an Honorary Doctor of Humanities from the University of Missouri (1987). Phillips is founder and president of the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc. which administers OCTUBAFEST, TUBACHRISTMAS, TUBASANTAS, TUBACOMPANY, TUBAJAZZ, etc. In May 1994 Phillips retired from Indiana University with the title of Distinguished Professor Emeritus. He continues to serve as a consultant in the arts and to brass instrument manufacturers and maintains a busy international schedule of concerts, lectures, and clinics. .