Peter began piano lessons at the age of six, played in brass bands with the rest of a musical family, and took up the french horn when he was eleven. He read music at Hull University, where he continued to develop his horn playing, giving recitals as part of his degree course. However, it was a requirement that all music students sang in the university chamber choir. Not having sung before, he had no idea where to sit, but someone thought he might be a tenor judging by his speaking voice. They turned out to be right! After three years his love of singing grew, and upon leaving university he began taking singing lessons with Alan Ward, whilst teaching brass and piano. After singing with local choirs, taking part in singing festivals and accompanying choral societies, he joined the William Byrd singers, and then began singing with the BBC Northern Singers, under Stephen Wilkinson, Edward Downes, Raymond Leppard and Stuart Bedford. Concerts at the Aldeburgh Festival and live broadcasts on Radio 3 remain treasured memories - as does his appearance with ‘Hinge and Bracket’ on BBC television at a Christmas Gala Concert!
Whilst studying privately with Nicholas Powell and Patrick McGuigan (both tutors at the Royal Northern College of Music), Peter sang as a soloist with choral societies throughout the North West and in Opera with the Pendle, Wilmslow and Precinct Opera groups. He currently sings with the John Powell singers, although he is increasingly being called upon to conduct choirs and accompany singers - something which he finds very rewarding and satisfying.
He has been associated with the the Bolton University Choir and the Bolton Festival Choir as a rehearsal accompanist and conductor for several years, and he became the musical director of the Rossendale Ladies’ Choir at the beginning of 2007. He has also conducted the Rossendale Male Voice Choir and is conductor of the mixed choir.