Philippus Hugo obtained the degrees BMus, BMus (Hons) and MMus (cum laude) in piano at Stellenbosch University under Juliana de Villiers. He made his solo debut with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) at the age of sixteen and performed several times with the CPO, Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Stellenbosch University Symphony Orchestra during his student years.
In 1992 he was appointed as an official accompanist at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre. After 5 years he accepted a position as a music teacher at Rustenburg Primary School and in 2001 he was appointed as accompanist at Stellenbosch University, where he is still employed.
He has been one of the official accompanists at the ABSA National Competition for high school learners since 1994 and appears regularly as accompanist at the Sanlam Primary School Competition, ATKV Musique, Artscape Competition and Unisa Overseas Scholarship Competition, as well as freelance accompanist at several national festivals like Klein Karoo Klassique (KKK), Darling Voorkamerfees, Die Vryfees, Fynarts Hermanus Festival and Greyton Genadendal Classics For All. From 2012 until 2015 he served as official accompanist for the ATKV Muziqanto competition.
In 2011 he was asked to perform at the Maputo International Music Festival with the American singers Kennethia Mitchell and Lawrence Craig Jr. He was also invited to participate in the Harare Music Festival that took place in Zimbabwe in September 2012. Philippus returned to Maputo in May 2014 as guest artist during their classical music season, where he was responsible for accompanying singers and instrumentalists. For the 2016 Maputo International Music Festival he acted as compiler and accompanist of two opera performances with local singers and the Maputo Youth Choir.
Since 2013, he was appointed by the ATKV as program compiler and coordinator of the concerts during which the respective winners of Muzique and Muziqanto have to perform as part of their winning status. These include the Gala Concert as part of the Greyton Genadendal Classics for All, 2014 and 2016 US Woordfees, Oude Libertas Concert Series, Nederburg and La Motte’s concert series, and the soirées during the Sandton Summerplace Concert Series. He was also responsible for the compilation and accompaniment of the 2013 to 2015 KKK opening concerts. Philippus, with Minette du Toit-Pearce and the US Percussion Duo, was nominated for a KykNet Fiesta for best classical concert during a national arts festival for the 2013 KKK opening concert.
Philippus was approached by Unisa to act as examiner. He was appointed as adjudicator at the George Loerie Eisteddfod in 2014 and 2016, as well as the Riversdale and Tygerberg eisteddfods. In 2016 he acted as adjudicator of the piano section at the Stellenbosch Eisteddfod. He is also an accomplished chef and co-owner of the restaurant Driefontein and 254 Catering in Caledon in the Overberg.