Sir Peter had a lifelong commitment to community outreach and education, writing much music for young people; his children’s opera The Hogboon will receive its world premiere in June 2016 with Sir Simon Rattle and the LSO at the Barbican. His keen sense of social responsibility was threaded through many of his works, touching on major issues such as war, the environment and politics.
Sir Peter became Perth Youth Orchestra’s Patron-in-Chief in 2004 – a position in which he was joined by Su-a Lee, Principal Cellist of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.