CONCERT pianist Paul Turner competed in the Swindon Music Festival as a youngster in the 1970s.

And this year’s event will see the Royal Academy of Music graduate notch up his 25th as official accompanist.

The Swindon-born musician has always supported his home town and encouraged the elite in the classical music world to perform here as part of the Swindon Recital Series he founded.

Geoff Walters, president of the music festival, is delighted Paul is still on board.

He said: “We have the best accompanist in Paul Turner. I have heard a number of competitors admit to entering the festival purely to have Paul perform with them.’’ Programmes are on sale for the 106th annual festival, which begins on March 20 at Christ Church, in Old Town, with organ, sacred song, gospel song and adult choir classes.

From Saturday, March 21 the festival moves to the Arts Centre, in Devizes Road, with classes in keyboards, brass, guitars, woodwind, strings, piano and all manner of vocal genres over the two weeks.

Geoff said: “We are looking forward to a festival of such great music that we are pleased for both competitors and audiences.”

The three adjudicators – Fiona Chryssides, Elizabeth Childs and Maria Jagusz – always gave positive feedback to competitors to encourage their confidence in music.

Others who went on to make music their career include Diana Fluck in 1938. She was competing in the recitation class for girls aged seven to 10, and went on to become film star Diana Dors.

Jamie Cullum, the jazz superstar, competed in 1988 and 1989, while Sarah Covey won supreme champion in 2006 and 2008 before she went to the West End, appearing in We Will Rock You. Last year’s champ was Amy Bladon.

The Instrumental Championship is on Wednesday, March 25, the Junior Vocal Championship on Friday, March 27, and the Senior Vocal Championship on Saturday, March 28, both costing £5.

Entry to the Supreme Championship, is £7.50. Entry to morning classes is £2 and evening classes are £3.

Visit www.swindon musicfestival.co.uk.