A young Scottish pianist, heralded as ‘blindingly virtuosic’ will join our staff of internationally acclaimed artists teaching the next generation of world-class instrumentalists, composers and music producers.
Philip Sharp (28), who has performed all over the world, will teach pupils studying piano and chamber music and will also bring his particular love of contemporary music to the School.
He has given several world premieres of works by some of the rising stars of British contemporary music and is known for making virtuoso piano transcriptions of well-known classical works. His transcription of ‘Nessun Dorma’ was featured by Classic FM and went on to appear in a French film chronicling the romantic life of Gustav Klimt. His next is ‘Pure Imagination’ from the 1971 film, Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
As someone who only ever wanted to play the piano from the age of five, his own education and career path offers the pupils of St Mary’s Music School an example of what can be achieved.
Philip studied at Chetham’s School of music before graduating from both Manchester University and the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in 2016. From 2016-17 he held the John Wilson Junior Fellow in Accompaniment at the RNCM. As well as a solo artist, performing at venues such as Wigmore Hall and at international festivals in Italy and the USA, Philip has worked as a collaborative pianist and chamber musician. He has also been teaching for the past seven years.
Philip said:
“I have always loved the piano because it is perfect for expressing and expanding musical ideas. It is also the instrument that best turns musical theory into practice, and I feel very privileged to be teaching at a school that nurtures Scotland’s future music artists and performers. Having studied with some brilliant teachers myself, including Anne Scott and Dr Murray McLachlan, I want to be part of my pupils’ own journeys and help them realise their full potential.”
Dr Kenneth Taylor, Headteacher added,
“We are delighted to have Philip at the School. He will be a tremendous role model for our pupils, not simply for the commitment and work ethic that underpins his own career, but also for the fresh, modern perspective he brings to his music. A music critic called him ‘blindingly virtuosic’, and I am sure he will inspire our young talented musicians to great success.”