About John
John Phillips began studying the violin at the age of 10 and later became a member of the National Youth Orchestra. He read Classics at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he was a founder member of the Fitzwilliam String Quartet. The quartet subsequently became String Quartet in Residence at the University of York, where it gave the UK premiere of the Thirteenth Quartet of Shostakovich, tutored by and in the presence of the composer. He has had a special interest in his music ever since.
John later left the quartet to pursue a career in law, supporting his legal studies by freelance playing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra and the London Mozart Players. After practising as a barrister in Manchester for 20 years he was appointed as a Circuit Judge, sitting in the criminal, civil and family jurisdictions. His judicial career led to the award of a CBE for services to the criminal justice system. He also developed a keen interest in judicial education, as a result of which he was appointed as Director of Studies at the Judicial College. In this role he had overall responsibility for training all courts judges in England and Wales for nine years.
In 2016 John left the law to return to music. He became a student at the RNCM, studying full-time for a Master of Music (Performance) degree. He graduated in 2020. He was a member of the Board of the Hallé Orchestra for nine years and is currently Chair of the Northern Chamber Orchestra.