Phillip Stallwood was born in London and began his early musical training there. After winning a tussle with his parents, who wanted him to become a bank clerk, he continued his studies at The Royal Northern College of Music, where he studied the organ, piano and harpsichord with Gillian Weir, Lionel Rogg, Petr Eben and Eric Chadwick, and it was here that his reputation as a Concert Organist began - he gave numerous recitals throughout the U.K. and abroad. After leaving the Royal Northern College of Music he settled in Dorset, staying there for eleven years, and was actively involved as a teacher, recitalist, accompanist, conductor and adjudicator.
After a brief spell as Director of Music at Edgehill College in Devon Phillip moved to Oman, and from 1993 until 2001 worked with The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra, with whom he maintains strong links. In 2001 he was appointed the first Head of The Royal Army of Oman School of Music where he was instrumental in developing Omani music making at many different levels. At the beginning of 2007 he established his own businesses here in Oman and he is currently Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of the Oasis Group of Companies as well as being Resident Pianist at the Chedi Hotel, Muscat.
During his tenure in Oman Phillip has spearheaded many musical endeavours, working with musicians from all walks of life, both professional and amateur. In 1993 he was appointed Musical Director of the Muscat Chamber Choir. This was followed in 1995 by his foundation and direction of CANTAMUS, a semi-professional choir of around 50 voices. In November 1999 he was asked to form a special choir and orchestra for a performance of Handel’s Messiah which he directed in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales. Since 1996 Phillip has organised the highly popular monthly Soiree series of musical concerts featuring local professional musicians as well as top performing artistes drawn from all over the world. He is also the founder of Muscat’s premier jazz group “Just Jazz”.
For some years Phillip was the Music Critic for the Oman Daily Observer, and since 1998 has held the position of International Representative of The Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music for the Sultanate.
Music education has always been of major concern to Phillip. In 2004, realising that there was a wealth of untapped musical talent to be found amongst our youth, he co-founded and is Musical Director of The Muscat Children’s Amateur Theatre.
The Young Musicians of Muscat competition was founded by Phillip at the beginning of 2003. The competition is now securely established, and since 2006 the competition has seen participation from other GCC countries. As a development to the competition Phillip founded ‘Music Awards Oman’, a music scholarship scheme, enabling music students living here in the Sultanate the opportunity to gain a three year award to pursue their studies.
He is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, an Associate of both the Royal College of Organists and the Royal College of Music, a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music and Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts. In 2002 his contribution to music and music education was recognized by his inclusion in the “International Who’s Who in Music”.
In October 2005, Phillip was elected to membership of The Worshipful Company of Musicians and early in 2006 he was created a Freeman of the City of London.
In July 2007 he was installed as a Liveryman of the Musicians Company.
