Harvey Phillips Funeral.wmv

It was Wednesday, October 27, 2010, a crisp and windy Indiana fall day. The funeral of Mr. Harvey G. Phillips (b. December 2, 1929-died October 20, 2010), was held at First Methodist Church in Bloomington. At the completion of the 1 pm service, we gathered at Clear Creek Cemetery on the south side of town for the interment. Mr. Phillips' sons and grandsons carried the coffin to the burial site. After a military ceremony in honor of his service in the US Army Field Band and words by the minister, there was a performance of "Komm Susser Tod", "Come Sweet Death" by the Indiana University Tuba Ensemble which was originally founded by Mr. Phillips. This arrangement of the chorale by J.S. Bach was done in 1973 by Eddie Sauter at Mr. Phillips' request as a tribute to a famous tubist of the previous generation, William J. Bell. The service was a beautiful tribute to the great man who represented everything we held dear about our chosen musical instrument, the tuba. Mr. Phillips was one of the greatest players who ever lived and is responsible for much of the tuba music composed from the 1960's to today. He was the founder of TubaChristmas through which thousands of tuba and euphonium players gather in hundreds of concerts throughout the world to perform Christmas carols in large ensembles. He was a great mentor to all his students and a good friend to all who knew him. Mr. Phillips spent his life in service to others and in creation of music and performance opportunites for tuba and euphonium players. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Harvey.