Philip Harper graduated from the University of Bristol in 1994 before going on to take a Masters Degree in Composition and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education. He had a successful performing career and was the principal tenor horn of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and the Sun Life Band in Bristol, as well as winning through to the Brass Final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 1991. Between 1996 and 1998 he lived in Japan and was a guest soloist with most of the 'British-style' brass bands during this time.

Philip has been appointed Principal Conductor to the Leyland Band, one of the world's top-ranked bands, from mid-2010. He began his conducting career in 1998 and was the Musical Director of the Flowers Band between 2001 and 2008. With his many new compositions and arrangements he brought a refreshing, innovative approach to the band's concert presentations which led brass band website 4barsrest.com to comment: "Ever since Philip Harper took over the helm 'Flowers' has become one of the most entertaining bands around."

Since 2008 Philip has also been Professional Conductor of the Tongwynlais Band (from Cardiff) which he led to become UK National First Section Champions and Pontin's Champions in 2009, before securing back-to-back qualifications to the Royal Albert Hall Finals and the British Open for the first time in the band's history in 2010. He is also in demand as a guest conductor and works with bands of all abilities, from non-contesting bands to the Black Dyke Band.

Philip is a prolific composer and his music is played all over the world. In 2010, both Kingdom of Dragons and Willow Pattern were selected for use at the UK National Brass Band Championships.

In October 2009 Philip became Editor of the highly-regarded Brass Band World magazine. Additionally, Philip also works as an adjudicator at home and abroad and is a member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators.