THE powerful sound of the church organ will herald the beginning of the 107th Swindon Music Festival on Friday.

Professional adjudicators will give feedback on competitors showcasing their skills in daily classes for piano, guitar, brass, woodwind, strings, organs, choirs, solos, duets and composers.

Trophies and cups donated by well-known names around Swindon will be given to the class winners and these will include the Swindon Advertiser Cup for Girls or Boys’ Solo under eight, the Holmes Music Guitar Trophy, Kentwood Trophy, Ray Dance and Judith Sharp Trophy and a cup from the chairman of the festival officials, the Geoff Walters Trophy.

“Swindon continues to excel in many areas of the arts and we are rightfully proud of the quality of musician in all styles of music that we are privileged to listen to each year,’’ said Geoff.

Throughout the festival there are three championship concerts. The Instrumental Championship will take place on Wednesday, March 16, at 6.30pm. The Junior Vocal Championship will be on Friday, March 18, at 6.30pm and the Senior Vocal and Supreme Championship will be part of the Grand Concert at the finale on Saturday, March 19, from 6.30pm.

Last year’s overall winners were: instrumental champion Alexander Harris; junior vocal champion Matilda Wale; and supreme champion Zoe Tan.

"There is no question that we have one of the finest accompanists in the country here in Swindon, Paul Turner. We are incredibly fortunate to have his services for our festival," said Geoff.

Paul is the founder of the Swindon Recital Series, and a renowned concert pianist playing regularly at the Wigmore Hall in London.

The Swindon Music Festival is regarded as a good stepping stone for budding musicians and singers.

Jazz superstar Jamie Cullum flexed his pianist’s fingers on the festival platform in 1988 and the film star Diana Dors entered in 1938, under her real name of Diana Fluck.

In both 2006 and 2008 Swindon singer Sarah Covey was crowned Vocal and Supreme Champion of the festival and she went on to star in London’s West End, in the Queen musical We Will Rock You.

The adjudicators are Glyndebourne and Welsh National Opera singer Rebecca Moseley-Morgan, cellist Kay Tucker, who performs in a piano trio and string quartet, and Helen Deakin, who studied piano and clarinet at the Royal Academy of Music.

Classes are held in the Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Christ Church and, new this year, the Bath Road Methodist Church.

The festival is looking for help in funding the festival and support from music lovers to attend the classes, as they are all open to the public.

Vice chairman Sheila Marcer said: “We are looking for sponsors, both individuals and firms, to help us cover the ever increasing costs of staging the festival.’’ Daytime sessions are £2, afternoons £3 and concerts £5. More details on 01793 823849 or Visit www.swindonmusicfestival.co.uk