Phil Lawrence

Phil Lawrence is a British composer and arranger who is at home in a wide variety of musical styles and idioms. He started composing at a young age and studied composition with James Eastham and Dr. Edward Ho. His diverse work has involved composing horn lines for 'The Sugar Babes' on the track 'Get Sexy', and a number feature films including two episodes of 'Roary The Racing Car' with the Fairey Band, rescoring the '1921 Nosferatu', and in May 2012 a première at Cannes where he scored the re-make of the 'The Magnificent Seven', later re-named 'The Magnificent Eleven', which starred Robert Vaughn (original cast member of the original seven) and directed by Irvine Welsh, author of 'Trainspotting'. He has composed music for TV adverts including The Times, Ibuleve, Nike, The Sunday Times, Smarties, The Mirror, Guiness, The Sun, Post Office, and The News Of The World.

His trumpet concerto 'Blaze' was premièred at the Bridgewater Hall to full capacity by Richard Marshall and Grimethorpe Colliery Band. It was also performed in the USA at the International Trumpet Guild, with James Fountain as soloist. He would later receive a nomination from the British Academy of Composers in conjunction with BBC Radio 3. In addition Phil was commissioned by the RAF in 2018 for its centenary concert at the Albert Hall to a capacity of 5,400.

Phil played with British Rail Edge Hill Band Liverpool under Bob Dean, and attending the RNCM joined Manchester CWS Band where he played under Rex Mortimer, Maurice Handford, Jim Scott and Frank Renton. In 2005 he was appointed composer in residence with the Fairy Band, culminating in an album of his works and arrangements with World of Brass entitled 'It's Not Unusual', conducted by Frank Renton.

As a trumpet player, he has performed with many of the finest orchestras in the UK, including the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Opera North, Liverpool Philharmonic and Royal Opera. In 1982 he moved to London and worked with the Royal Opera for four years, before work presented itself with the Philharmonia, BBC Symphony, London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, and London Symphony Orchestras, as well as in west end and film sessions.

At this time he started to compose more seriously, having played with greats such as Philip Jones, John Wilbraham, Derek Watkins, Maurice Murphy, Micheal Laird, John Wallace, Jim Watson and David Mason. Phil also held the position of guest conductor with the New London Symphony Orchestra, and gave concerts at St Martin in The Fields and St John's Smith Square.