Philippe was already a very competent singer as a choirboy in the Schola Cantorum Cantate Domino from Aalst. Meanwhile he was busily mastering all forms of percussion with the pleasing result that he was awarded first prize in the National Music Competition (now the Dexia Competition) in 1978. Various first prizes for percussion, singing and chamber music followed at the Ghent conservatory. He took masterclases and private lessons with Noèlle Barker, and studied singing principally with Luciènne Van  Dyck, Louis Devos, Zeger Vandersteene and Lieve Vanhaverbeke.

He has sung countless solos on radio, television and CD, among others with the Vlaams Radiokoor (Flemish Radio Choir) to which he has lent his talents for twenty-eight years now. His preference for ensemble singing is a constant theme in his career; formerly with the ‘Malufi Singers’ and now with the close-harmony group ‘Blend’ and chiefly with the ensemble ‘Psallentes’ that specialises in Gregorian chant from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. Philippe has also been awarded his master’s diploma and teaches at the academy in Lokeren.