Philip Holdsworth
Bass Trombone
Philip joined WASO in 1985.
Philip Holdsworth was born in Renmark, South Australia in 1957. In his childhood years he moved around to many parts of Australia, before settling in Melbourne. He studied at the Victorian College of the Arts, under the tutelage of Rodger Davies and Michael Mulcahy.
Philip played with many groups during his study years, including the Melbourne Youth Orchestra, the VCA Orchestra and Brass Quintet and the Australian Youth Orchestra for 3 years, including their China tour of 1979. During this time, he also worked regularly with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
After graduating Philip worked at the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for three years and the Victorian Elizabethan Trust Orchestra (now Orchestra Victoria) before taking up the position of Bass Trombone with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in 1985 – a position he has held ever since.
During this time, he has taught at the University of Western Australia and the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and at many schools around Perth.
He is married to Jan Holdsworth (ne Rintoul), who is a fine flautist and teacher, and the founding conductor of the WA Youth Orchestra Flute Ensemble. They have two children – James (14) and Elizabeth (16).
