Julian PhilipsView profile
Professor
Professor Julian Philips is Head of Composition at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where he also holds a Professorship (conferred 2014). A Welsh-born composer with degrees from Emmanuel College, Cambridge (FGS, DPhil, MA Cantab), he specializes in operatic, choral, and vocal works. His compositions blend literary sources with innovative musical structures, particularly in settings of Emily Dickinson, Dylan Thomas, and John Clare. Notable roles include Glyndebourne Opera's first Composer-in-Residence (2006-2009) and creator of the Guildhall School's Opera-Making & Writing MA program. Education: FGS, DPhil, MA (Cantab) from Emmanuel College, Cambridge Research focuses on text-music relationships , with acclaimed works like Turning Fifty (2019), How the Whale Became (2013), and the Middle English opera The Tale of Januarie (2017). His ballets ( Les Liaisons Dangereuses , The Snow Queen ) and symphonic works ( Ballades Concertantes ) further showcase his versatility. Recent projects include Henny Penny (2021 children's opera) and Ted Hughes settings for the Little Missenden Festival. Awards: Honorary Fellow (Guildhall, 2007), British Composer Award nomination (2009). Advising & Grants: Established the Royal Opera House Doctoral Composer-in-Residence scheme. Current projects include Vaughan Williams anniversary work Looking West (2022) and a horn/tenor/piano piece for Oxford Lieder Festival.










