Born in Cambridgeshire Peter Rutterford began his musical education at the age of nine where he played the cornet in his local band.

Peter joined the Royal Marines Band Service in 1964, studying the cornet and violin at the Royal Marines School of Music at Deal, Kent. On completion of his training he travelled extensively with the bands visiting many countries. On his commission Peter studied advanced conducting and composition at Goldsmiths College, London with the composer and conductor Edward Gregson. He was then appointed Director of Music to the Band of the Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland. During this tenure, he performed concerts throughout the UK and overseas and made several successful recordings and broadcasts. Following this appointment he went to Staff College at Greenwich and then became the Supply Officer Music where he was responsible for the procurement of all musical instruments for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. He also became the editor of the Blue Band Magazine.

On his promotion to Major in 1996, Peter was appointed the Director of Music to the Staff Band in Plymouth where he remained until his retirement from the Royal Marines in 1999. There upon he became the Director of Music for the Sultan of Oman’s Royal Navy where he trained the Navy band for the next 2 years. On completion Peter returned to Perthshire, where he lives in with his wife Janet and his samoyed dog Troika.

During his career Peter has also been the Musical Director for a number of choral groups and music societies and enjoys making music with local communities. He has been the conductor for Perth Choral Society since 2004.

Peter is a Master of Music, a Bachelor of Arts, a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music and an Associate of the Royal College of Music. 

​