THE PASSING OF PHILIP BIGGS

The Brass Band World is still reeling from the news that Philip Biggs died yesterday, following a short but fiercely fought battle with cancer. As Administrator of the Brass Band Summer School, Philip led our organisation impeccably for the past 20 years and we are devastated by his loss. Philip was well known and much loved by hundreds, if not thousands of people throughout the banding fraternity and beyond and heartfelt condolences, prayers and thoughts will be with his wife Ruth and daughter Alice.

Philip was born into a brass banding family and seemed to have the Midas touch with every new venture. He was enormously well respected for his work within the contests he launched - most notably the Cambridge All England Masters, as a concert promoter, editor and publisher of his wonderful ‘Brass Herald’ magazine and of course his phenomenal administrative skills including his role as the Administrator of both the Brass Band Summer School and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, which he held for over twenty years.

Philip’s expertise and passion for music was also held in the highest regard by the wider musical World; he was made a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians of the City of London in 2003, and was also afforded the Freedom of the City of London. In 2004 he was appointed a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians of the City of London.

Dr. Robert Childs, a Director of the Brass Band Summer School and Chairman of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain paid tribute to Philip: “I am so sorry to hear the devastating news that Philip Biggs has passed away. He was my friend for more than forty years. We played together in Nassington Brass (Phil was a super sop player) and also had great fun together for many years on the Brass Band Summer School. However, it was our connection with the National Youth Brass Band that yielded so many good times. Philip was a perfectionist and an ‘old-school’ sort of guy, he didn’t like delegating, he much preferred to get his head down and do the job himself, and what a job he did. Everything he touched became a success. He was such a caring and thoughtful man and the best administrator I have ever worked with. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Ruth and Alice and all of his many many friends that will be feeling this sad loss this morning. RIP Philip Biggs.”