Vale Charlie Phillips

On 22 September a large number of fellow choristers from Melbourne and Bendigo gathered to farewell their very well respected colleague Charlie Phillips (12 February 1922 – 11 September 2015).

We learned that Charlie and his brother journeyed to Melbourne every weekend in their younger days for formal voice training. They were a successful duo and could have made a reasonable living in the entertainment industry. Charlie, however, thought the travelling would have been too disruptive to family life and, instead, worked as a carpenter and plasterer where his workmanship was always in demand.

The early voice training was evident to choristers and patrons alike in all the years Charlie sang with us.  Audiences gasped with astonishment and admiration every time the diminutive and frail-looking Charlie moved to centre stage. What came out of his frame was an incredibly rich bass-baritone voice, always pitch-perfect and full of controlled passion.

At the service, we listened once again to his voice, and his humour, with I’se Weary of Waitin’.  Later we were treated to his renditions of Old Man River, In the Depths of the Temple and If I Can Help Somebody, which equated so well with Charlie’s lifelong credo.

Under the direction of Faleiry and accompanied by Lorna, two dozen choristers assembled and sang Gwahoddiad  followed by Working Man with baritone Bob Ash as soloist, reprising and paying homage to one of Charlie’s favourites.

Finally, as befitted a fine Christian gentleman with a great sense of humility as well as humour, we left the chapel to Charlie’s recording of Goin’ Home.