YOUNG musicians performing at the Arts Centre yesterday as part of the Swindon Music Festival were keen to hit all the right notes.

Dozens of competitors of varying grades competed, with adjudicator Elizabeth Childs overseeing the performers during the latest day of competition.

And Geoff Walters, chairman of the festival, was delighted by the quality on show among those taking part, with piano virtuosity at the heart of the day.

He said: “It has been pretty amazing as the standard of the youngsters is quite remarkable.

“It is utterly brilliant to see how many young pianists we have got out there.

“The youngsters really embraced the idea of playing the grand piano.

“It is something for them to be proud of and a moment for them to savour.

“I thought Elizabeth was extremely encouraging and the young people really embraced playing at the Arts Centre.”

This is the 106th year the popular festival has taken place, and it is often quoted as being the place where the likes of pianist Jamie Cullum and actresses Diana Dors and Sarah Covey first spread their rhythmic wings.

It provides an opportunity for their successors to show their musical mettle.

Mr Walters said he’s been delighted with how the festival, which runs until Saturday, has gone so far this year.

He said: “I’m really proud of all the events that we have had going on and there’s still many more great things to come.”

Today there will be more pianists performing at the Arts Centre in morning sessions beginning at 9am.

While, This afternoon, musicians will be showing their guitar, violin, woodwind, keyboard and recorder skills.

The festival’s Instrumental Championship will take place at the centre, in Devizes Road, from 6.30pm.

Programmes, listing all the festivities, are available from Holmes Music in Faringdon Road and Brian Taylor in Royal Wootton Bassett.

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

Results - 124 Woodwind Solo: up to Grade 1, Oliver Seddon, 87;

125 Woodwind Solo: Grade 2, Charlie Galley, 86;

126 Woodwind Solo: Grades 3 - 4, Jessica Davis, 85;

127 Woodwind Solo: Grades 5 - 6, Asher Sandbach, 86;

128, Woodwind Solo: Grades 7 - 8, Alex Sadler 86;

98 Strings: Beginners, Esme Goodwin, 85;

99 Strings: Grades 1 - 2, Rhys Parker, 86;

100 Strings: Grades 3 - 4, Stephanie Piatek, 85;

101 Strings: Grades 5 - 6, Maximo Lopez, 87;

Strings Duet: up to Grade 5, Oriana Bell and Jessica Howard, 84;

Piano Solo - Beginners, Oshotare Kadiri, 86;

74 Piano Baroque Solo - 11 and under, Trisha Annabelle Fernandes, 86;

75 Piano Sonatina – 11 and under, Tess Armstrong, 88;

72 Piano Solo – Grade 7 and above, Zoe Tan, 91;

88 Piano Duet - 17 and over Alasdair Warwick and Chuin Ying Ung, 86;

79 Piano Solo (excluding sonatas) – 17 and over, Michael R Pogany, 84;

83 Piano Solo: 20th Century – Amateur or Professional – Any age, Maximo Lopez, 89, 93

Mature Piano (over 50), Mary Fletcher, 86.