MUSICIANS continued to wow audiences at the Arts Centre today as Swindon’s top tuneful talents raised the roof with sound.

A variety of different styles and instruments were on offer during the third day of this year’s Swindon Music Festival, with melodies in piano, woodwind, and strings.

It is the 106th year the popular festival has taken place, and it is often quoted for being the place where the likes of pianist Jamie Cullum and actresses Diana Dors and Sarah Covey first spread their rhythmic wings and is an opportunity for their successors to show their musical mettle.

Geoff Walters, chairman of the Swindon Music Festival, said listening to the younger performers was a particular delight.

He said: “They’re delightful because they just climb up on the stage, and up on to the stool and their feet barely touch the ground, some of them.

“None of their pieces are very long, they are only for a few minutes.

“And of course their parents are overjoyed to see them up on the stage performing.

“It started in the morning with woodwind and in the afternoon there were pianists. It was the beginners class and so there were quite a lot of pianists playing.

“It was a lovely day, with a great mix of ages and abilities.”

This morning, from 9am, the festival will kick off with a cacophony of tuneful delights, focusing on piano and strings.

Morning classes in the Arts Centre will include grades 1 and 2 in piano, with afternoon classes focusing on performers under the age of 16.

In the evening the instrumental recital for youngsters aged 16 and under will take place, followed by grade 7 and 8 strings.

All the competitors are aged from eight upwards and the winners of each class battle it out in their own championships.

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

Entry to the Supreme Championship, which follows the Seniors, is £7.50.

Tickets each day cost £2 for daytime sessions and £3 for evening sessions.

Programmes are available now from Holmes Music in Faringdon Road, and Brian Taylor in Royal Wootton Bassett.

To find out more about this year’s festival visit www.swindonmusicfestival.co.uk