Philip Coady 505th Air Force Band of the Midwest Music Arrangements, 1989-1991 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Philip Coady recieved his Bachelors of Music in Jazz Composition from the University of Miami in 1988, and his Masters of Music in Theory and Composition from the University of Illinois in 1991. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in August, 1989, where he worked as a staff arranger. Stationed at the Rantoul Air Force Base until December 1991, he then transferred to the Travis Air Force Base, where he stayed until January 1994. As a staff arranger, Coady arranged for 3 ensembles: the Big Band, the Brass Quintet, and the Rock Band, where one of the band directors he worked under was Alan Sierichs.

One of his arrangements, "Caroling, Caroling," was written for a General's retirement and well recieved for its setting of a drum battle to "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." The piece was performed twice at the University of Illinois: in 1989 at the Foellinger Auditorium, and in 1990 at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.