IT won't just be the luck of the Irish dominating St Patrick’s Day on Thursday but a whole group of young people across the borough will be hoping the shamrock will bring them luck in the Swindon Youth Piano Festival.

Held at Commonweal School, pianists up to the age of 18 will be taking part in the Swindon Youth Piano Festival where they will have the opportunity to play on Jamie Cullum beloved Yamaha Grand Piano.

“We were very fortunate last January to win Jamie’s beloved Yamaha Grand Piano, by popular vote following a national competition," said Josie Williams, community arts development officer at the school who is organising the festival alongside Commonweal’s Music Leader Kirsty Driver.

"The piano is used on a regular basis for piano lessons and concerts. It is fantastic that we are able to have this wonderful piano for all young people in Swindon to play on and it really does make a difference to inspire the next generation.”

Multi-platinum singer songwriter Jamie Cullum paid a visit to the school in September and performed and talked about his career to an invited audience.

The aim of the festival is to showcase the best young pianists in the town.

Prior to the evening concert students will have the opportunity to take part in a masterclass with music teacher Jon Driver who will also close the recital with Edvard Grieg Wedding Day at Troldhauen, Op. 65, no. 6 Ernst von Dohnanyi Rhapsody in C, Op. 11, no. 3. The masterclass aims to give students tips on how to improve their performances and piano technique.

Tickets for the concert on March 17 cost £5 and can be purchased on the door. The concert starts at 7pm.