Background
Thomas Ekundayo Phillips was born in 1884. His father was Bishop Charles Phillips of Ondo.
composer conductor optician organist teacher
Thomas Ekundayo Phillips was born in 1884. His father was Bishop Charles Phillips of Ondo.
He attended the Content Management System Grammar School, Lagos, then went to the Government Training School for Dispensers, where he qualified as a Chemist. Phillips attended Trinity College of Music in London from 1911 to 1914, where he studied organ, piano and violin.
He became an optician by profession. Solomon Moses Daniels, a well-known organist at Saint Paul"s Church, Aroloya, gave him lessons in organ playing. He was Assistant Organist at Saint Paul"s Church, Lagos until 1914.
He was given the Fellowship of Trinity College of Music, London (FTCML) in organ playing, Phillips was the second Nigerian to obtain a baccalaureate degree in music
He would retain this position for 48 years. Fela Sowande always remembered the training that Phillips provided, which was a great help in his own career.
Phillips died on 10 July 1969. He had five children.
