He began to compose music for the church shortly after his arrival in America, and for a time, served as an organist and violinist in the Moravian congregations of Nazareth, Bethlehem and Lititz in Pennsylvania.
[3] All of Peter's known compositions are sacred concerted vocal works or anthems composed for worship services with the exception of the string quintets.
[4] His six string quintets for two violins, two violas, and a violoncello are among the earliest examples of chamber music known by a North American composer.
Like all Moravian theologians his training included extensive instruction in music, but he seems to have sought proficiency as well in violin, flute, and horn.
In addition, his self-pedagogy consisted of copying scores that struck his fancy, and apparently his tastes were as good as they were broad.
Indeed, for all his lifetime of devotion to the craft aspects of his art, he actually mentioned music but twice in the lengthy Lebenslauf on file in the Moravian archives.
The listener is free to wonder what sins Peter committed in the name of Euterpe, but it is probable that any falling from grace on his part had to do with his lone adventure in secular music.