Phillip Wayne Sneed

1947 - 2018

Phillip Wayne Sneed

New York, NY - Born in Jackson, MS on March 21, 1947, Phil passed away in Lincoln Park, NJ on May 7, 2018.

Growing up in Newton, MS, music was his passion and he played clarinet in area Symphony Orchestras as a young teen. Phil attended the Indiana University School of Music, intending to further his career as a clarinetist. Gifted with a fine bass baritone voice, he changed to a vocal career, studying with Louis Panzeri in New Orleans and Pierre Bernac in France. He moved to Manhattan in 1974 and became an enthusiastic member of the NYC musical scene.

There his performances ranged from Bach to Barbershop. Some of the highlights of his musical career included solo engagements with The Bach Aria Institute; and a wide range of vocal ensemble work including Steamboat Gothic, The NY Vocal Arts Quartet, the Metropolitan Opera Chorus. The last 14 years of his career was as a member of his "NY family", The New York City Opera Chorus.

He was predeceased by his parents, Wayne E. and Marie N. Sneed. Endeared for his talent and wickedly quirky humor, he leaves behind many dear friends; as well as two sisters, Nancy Sneed Bounds of Newton, MS and Claire (Larry) Hardy of Oxford, MS; brother, Gene Sneed and his partner, Don Leopard, of Covington, TN; five nieces and nephews and their spouses; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. There will be two "Celebration of Life" services: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Newton UMC in Newton, MS and Thursday, May 24, 2018 at Oxford-University UMC in Oxford, MS. Both will have a gathering of family and friends at 2pm and a Remembrance Service at 3pm. His cremains will be inurned in Oxford, MS.

In lieu of floral tributes you may remember Phil with a donation to any animal aid society, the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090, www.alz.org; or the Actor's Fund, 729 Seventh Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10019, www.actorsfund.org.