Dr Philip Eames
PhD (USyd), MMus (RNCM), MMus (QCGU), BMus (Hons) (QCGU)
Philip Eames is one of Australia's most versatile young musicians. An accomplished pianist, composer, conductor and researcher based in Sydney, his musical outputs are diverse and prolific.
The Story
Musical Background
Hailing from Brisbane, Philip studied piano with Dr Max Olding, AM and Dr Stephen Savage at the Queensland Conservatorium, where he received the Fred Ellaway Prize and Owen Fletcher Postgraduate Award as the highest achieving piano student. He then travelled overseas on scholarship for further study at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.
Holding two Master of Music degrees, he most recently completed his doctorate on at the Sydney Conservatorium, where he is now a sessional lecturer and research assistant. Since his undergraduate years, Philip began exploring composition and choral directing, avenues which have grown to rival his love of piano. Since his Masters degrees, he has developed a burgeoning reputation as a musicologist, with multiple published articles, interviews and other writings to his credit.
The Pianist...
“The frequent change in tone and dynamics was impressive... His handiwork ranged from impossibly fast one moment, while collected and leisurely the next, complemented by an unflinching grin and personalised theatricality” (The Australian Times)
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"Philip Eames from Brisbane gave a stunning performance ... the two outer movements require great agility, ably handled by Eames" (Townsville Bulletin)
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"And throughout all, Philip Eames exquisitely plays music, the compositions of which are art forms themselves" (Scene Theatre Sydney)
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A pianist with a penchant for 20th/21st century repertoire and an active composer, Philip has appeared both as soloist and chamber musician internationally, and is the recipient of many notable prizes and scholarships including the South-East Queensland Concerto Competition, the Queensland Piano Competition, the Australian Concerto and Aria Competition and the Keys Festival of Australian Music. Most notably, Philip was a category finalist in the ABC Young Performers Awards, performing as soloist with the Western Australia Symphony Orchestra. He was also presented with the 2010 Owen Fletcher Postgraduate Award and the 2008 Fred Ellaway Prize as the highest achieving piano student at the Queensland Conservatorium.
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Philip's performance career has been generously supported by the 2011 Redland City Youth Development Fund Scholarship, an Ars Musica Australis Fellowship, and grants from the Tait Memorial Trust, PPCA Performers Trust Association. Philip was featured in the ANAM Piano! Festival, the Australian Percussion Gathering, the North West New Music Festival, World Event Young Artists, the Per Nørgård Festival, and the Ligetti Academy in the Netherlands.
The Composer...
"The World Premiere of Philip Eames’ commissioned piano quintet ‘is also a highlight, adding another layer to the already-unique ‘Refraction’ ... Australian choreographed, composed, produced and performed art at its beautiful best" (Blue Curtains Brisbane)
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"Influenced from the grinding rhythms of Bartok and the melodiousness of Percy Grainger ... Eames displayed a firm understanding of the instruments and constructed the entire piece from four-note motives" (Australian Made)
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"Eames describes three stories of Stradbroke Dreamtime to dramatic and at times quirky effect in the quartet ... the performance received a standing ovation" (Redland City Bulletin)
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Quirky, brimming with vibrant energy, and at times biting, Philip's music has been well-received by audiences and performers alike. He was announced the winner of the 2020 Willgoss Choral Composition Prize, the Tagore Composition Competition, ASKM Composition Competition, and his compositions have been performed throughout Australia and internationally.
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In 2019 he collaborated with the Black Square Quartet, Waangenga Blanco and the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation to create a large-scale string quartet based on the stories of Oodgeroo Noonuccal and accompanied by dance. This work (String Quartet No.3 "Minjeribah Dreaming") received a series of acclaimed performances during the 2019 Quandamooka Festival. Further commission highlights include the The Australian Voices, Queensland Ballet, and the Australian National Piano Award.
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Philip has also appeared as a featured composer in innovative new music programs including New Music New York, Making Waves, and the Music Box Project. Philip was selected from a national field to take part in the Flinders Quartet 2018 Composer Development Program, involving workshops, studio recording and performance.
Vocal Roles..
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"Talented musical director Philip Eames is a welcome addition to the set" (Theatre Now)
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"Led by MD Philip Eames as conductor and keyboard player, the band deserve to be commended for the way they played" (Stage Whispers)
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Philip Eames has worked with choirs, in musical theatre and opera for over a decade, initially as an accompanist/repetiteur before expanding into musical director roles. His first leadership role was with the Greater Manchester Police Male Voice choir in 2012, and since moving to Sydney, he has continued conducting and accompanying choirs, while exploring choral polyphony in his doctoral studies. Most recently, in 2019 Philip was selected as one of the inaugural assistant conductors of the River City Voices, with the opportunity to serve as chorus master for Handel's Messiah.
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Philip also has an established presence in the Sydney musical theatre scene, and frequently works with both established and new companies, specialising in small-scale, innovative theatre.
Choral Roles
Aqualuna
Music Director
Jubilate Singers
Accompanist
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Guest Conductor
Pyrmont Sings
Macquarie Singers
Jubilate Singers
Guest Accompanist
River City Voices
Musical Theatre MD/Repetituer Credits
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Ordinary Days
[title of show]
Avenue Q
Little Women
Keating!
Jesus Christ Superstar
West Side Story
Les Miserables
Into the Woods
Cats
Man Date
Little Shop of Horrors
13
Annie
Tommy
25th. Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
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