Hi – I’m Peter Bates, and I’m a tenor.
I was born in Oxford (in the reign of the previous King, as my children like to remind me) and began my musical career at Magdalen College School. After singing my way through school and university (in Oxford’s Schola Cantorum amongst other things) I graduated to a career in social research.

While doing that I’ve carried on singing as a soloist and in choirs – for example, St Bride’s (Fleet Street), and Manchester and Oxford Cathedrals. I was for many years tenor Lay Clerk (professional choir singer) in the choir of Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral. I was also one of the team singing the Daily Service on BBC Radio 4.

I’ve also promoted and organised music events. I was Chair of the Taunton Summer Festival, the Cornelius Singers and of Wirral’s Dee Major Opera. I’ve conducted small groups of singers: Zephyrus and now the Liverpool Chamber Choir.  Contact L.C.C. if you need a small choir for weddings or corporate events in the North West.

I’m also involved in historical research (watch out for my biography – soon – of Somerset’s John Isaac Hawkins, inventor of the upright piano in 1800) and I kept myself busy running marathons and half-marathons.

Occasionally, I write about life as a tenor, and other musical mutterings, on my blog