Peter Brathwaite (Class of 2002), Roger Kay Lecture “The Voice You Carry”
We were honoured to welcome distinguished alumnus Peter Brathwaite back to Bury Grammar School as the guest speaker for the fifth lecture in the Roger Kay Lecture Series.
The Roger Kay Lecture Series brings leading voices from across the Manchester community to BGS, offering our community the opportunity to hear from inspiring figures across a range of fields and professions.
(Peter pictured with Principal, Mrs Anderson and Senior Prefects)
Peter explained, “Through all of this (training) one idea kept returning: what makes a voice? So, I thought today I’d talk about the importance of finding your voice."
“A voice is shaped by the body that carries it...no two voices are the same because no two people are the same. But a voice is also shaped by experience, by what you’ve lived, by what you’ve lost, by what you hope for, by what you fear, by what you believe. When you speak or sing all of that comes with you.”
“Through my career, I’ve found that being an artist is a calling for me.”
We were captivated as Peter shared reflections on his career to date as an acclaimed baritone. He spoke about how, since leaving BGS, he has established himself on the international opera stage, performing with leading companies and appearing in productions across Europe.
Peter studied at the International Opera School of the Royal College of Music and Operastudio Vlaanderen in Ghent. He graduated with a First Class degree in Fine Art & Philosophy from Newcastle University and was later awarded the degree of Doctor of Music (DMus) honoris causa by Newcastle University in July 2023. He has gone on to build an outstanding international career.
“No art exists in a bubble; it’s the responsibility of the artist to illuminate social, cultural and global concerns. My own journey has been about finding the courage to use my voice, not just to tell a story but to challenge and change perceptions.”
Peter also shared his creative work beyond opera, including a song, live on the Roger Kay stage, from his ‘Degenerate Project’ and also talked about his lockdown initiative ‘Rediscovering Black Portraiture’, which uses domestic materials and references to his heritage to challenge historical perceptions of Black people in art.
Recent highlights have included performances at leading venues such as La Monnaie in Brussels and the Philharmonic de Paris, as well as appearances in new productions, world premieres, and interdisciplinary projects. He has also undertaken residencies and visiting roles in academic and cultural institutions, reflecting his growing influence both on and off the stage.
At the time of the lecture, Peter had just finished performing with the Finnish National Opera in Helsinki, appearing in ‘Festen’ by Mark-Anthony Turnage and Lee Hall. Alongside his performance work, he continues to be recognised for projects exploring history, identity and overlooked voices in music and portraiture, as well as for his contributions as a broadcaster, writer and cultural commentator.
Bury Grammar School is dedicated to nurturing talent, fostering growth and making a lasting impact, and our bursary scheme is a fine example of where this is especially evident. Peter spoke proudly about being a BGS bursary recipient and member of the Class of 2002, explaining that without this gift of a BGS education, his path would likely have looked different.
Peter said, “It is a real pleasure to be back at Bury Grammar School... it’s funny how being in a place can take you right back... the corridors, the smell, the whole buzz of the place makes me feel as if my younger self is walking just a few steps ahead of me. Standing here again in the Roger Kay Hall brings a sense of return for me”
“I came to this school in 1993, and it opened doors I didn’t know existed. It nurtured and extended the foundations my family had already given me, their love of learning – the singing, painting drawing they’d encouraged were all nurtured here and I’m forever grateful for that.”
“When he reendowed the school in the 18th century, Roger Kay wrote about responsibility of pupils who would benefit from an education here. He believed that those who receive should give back and that idea has stayed with me. It’s why I shout the school’s good name from the rooftops whenever I get a chance, and I hope that’s something you’ll carry too,”
“Part of what this school gave me was the confidence to find my voice and eventually to understand how to use it.”
He spoke fondly of his teachers and how they encouraged and inspired him. He reflected on the way they supported and cared for every pupil, and how curiosity was not only welcomed but actively encouraged.
(Peter pictured with Miss Rachel Britton, Director of Music & Director of Development, Mr David Benger, Peter’s former BGS music teacher, and Miss Jenny Downing, Director of Music.)
Hearing about Peter’s journey from Bury Grammar School to internationally recognised performer was hugely inspiring, offering valuable insight into the opportunities that can follow dedication, creativity and ambition.
Perter’s closing remarks will, I’m sure will stay with our pupils and students for a long time to come:
“A voice isn’t just sound, it’s perspective, it’s responsibility, it’s connecting... your voice is unique, both the sounds you make and the emotions behind it. You can use your voice to exclude or include, you can use it to rediscover, you can use it create new things and you can use it to make a change.”
“Thank you for reminding me of where my own voice began.”
“The school’s motto is the key that opens holy doors, your voice is that key – use it well.”
This was a memorable occasion for the School community, and we enjoyed welcoming Peter back to Bury Grammar School immensely – thank you Peter!
The Roger Kay Lecture Series is named after Sir Roger Kay, a philanthropist of the 1720s who was committed to making education available to all.
This year’s lecture series began with a talk from Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, followed by Sarah Lester, Editor of the Manchester Evening News and a Bury Grammar School alumna, Mr Potts, Assistant Chief Constable for Greater Manchester Police, and Mr Simon Johnson, a Bury Grammar School alumnus who is currently serving as Chair across a charity and a private business.