Philip Wilby

Philip Wilby (born Pontefract, 1949) is a British composer. Educated at Leeds Grammar School and Keble College, Oxford, he joined the staff at the University of Leeds in 1972, where he still works today, teaching various composition, liturgy, directing, and score reading classes.

Composing for many different instruments and ensembles (piano, organ, voice, chamber ensemble, wind orchestra), Wilby is most known for his compositions for brass band. Many of Wilby's pieces are based on his strong Christian beliefs. Famous works that fall in this category are ... Dove Descending, Revelation, and New Jerusalem. Many of Wilby's works are written especially to be used as testpieces in brass band contests all over the world. The most recent composition to fit this description is Vienna Nights, which was commissioned as the test piece for the 2006 British Open Brass Band Championships held in Symphony Hall, Birmingham.