THE brother of a York schoolboy who died tragically young will take centre stage at a concert in his memory.

Peter Woodmansey a student at Bootham School, died of septicaemia aged just 17 at Leeds General Infirmary in December 2020, less than three weeks after receiving a diagnosis of leukaemia and despite having responded well to early treatment.

On Saturday, February 12 at 7pm, the school where he was head boy, Bootham School in York will be holding a special Evening of Song in Peter's memory featuring his brother, tenor, Andrew Woodmansey.

Andrew, who like Peter gained a music scholarship at Bootham, is returning to York to be the principal singer in this concert.

He is currently studying for a master's degree in performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire where he is recognised as having an exceptional voice.

He has become increasingly in demand as an operatic tenor, singing lead roles in many operas including Don Ottavio in Don Giovani and Tamino in Magic Flute.

He was the Tenor Solo for a performance of Beethoven’s 9th with Magna Symphonia and is also sought after as a Tenor soloist in Oratorios.

And he demonstrated his versality by singing with a Welsh Male Voice Choir at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party for Prince Charles’ 70th Birthday.

Andrew will be supported by baritone Lawrence Gillians, Peter's elder brother, Stephen Woodmansey and Francesca Lauri on the piano, soprano Maria Marshall and the boys' sister and mezzo soprano, Sarah Woodmansey, for an evening of song that will range from musical theatre to operatic arias.

The concert is open to all.

Entrance is by donation with all contributions going to help establish a new Peter Woodmansey Scholarship. Click here to donate.

Peter and his siblings held music scholarships at Bootham School and the School felt a scholarship in Peter’s name would be fitting tribute to him by enabling other gifted children, who might not otherwise be able to afford it, to access the benefits of the school.

Peter was the youngest of four children, all of whom have attended the school.

His mother Alison is a GP in the city who has been working on the local Covid-19 response team, and his father Michael retired as Vicar of Heworth last year. Peter has three siblings Stephen, Andrew and Sarah.

The many tributes to Peter revealed how, in his short life, he had influenced and inspired so many.  His selfless kindness was experienced and valued by peers and adults alike.  “He was everybody’s first friend!” said one fellow pupil., while another wrote:  “Peter saw the good in everyone, and was a friend to all.”  One of his teachers wrote: “In 20 years of teaching, I have never met a kinder, sweeter, happier boy than Peter. He radiated friendliness, warmth and empathy for others”. Another said: “Peter had a smile as wide as his heart which lit up every room, an inner glow which radiated sweetness and friendliness. He was happy in his own skin, a friend to all and cared deeply about everyone...I couldn’t think of a better role model for the school community: he was a very special human being and a credit to his family.”

Whether it was initiating a game of cricket with homeless people outside the church where his father was a vicar, ensuring that every member of SNAPPY (a charity supporting those with additional needs) felt included in a football match, or jumping onto the stage to help out a friend when they got stage fright during a primary school play, kindness was an essential part of Peter.

In the Bootham School Magazine for 2021 Chris Jeffries, the head teacher wrote: “Of all the many students I have known at this school, Peter was the one who most clearly exemplified the values of what the school he so loved stood for. He worked hard to draw out ‘that of God’ in others and in himself and helped to improve the world for others, near and far, in whatever ways he could. He was the archetypal Bootham student. The world is, and will continue to be, an immeasurably poorer place for the passing of such a fine and potential-laden young life.”

Peter’s father Michael said: “Peter had a reputation for bursting into song at any opportunity; the songs of Ed Sheeran, Matt Capaldi or Musical Theatre would frequently indicate his presence. At home, the return of his siblings would always present an opportunity to sing round the piano. So, what better way to celebrate his life than an evening of song?”