MORE than 40 lucky young pianist from across the town will have the opportunity to perform on Jamie Cullum’s beloved Yamaha grand piano at this year’s Swindon Youth Piano Festival.

Staged at the Commonweal C6 auditorium on Monday, the event starts at 7pm with tickets priced at £5 available on the door.

“This isn’t a competition, but is a sharing event to help boost the confidence of young players irrespective of grades achieved. It’s a great evening and the piano sounds beautiful,” said organiser Josie Williams, who is organising the festival alongside Commonweal’s music teacher leader Andrea Grearson.

“We were very fortunate to win Jamie’s beloved Yamaha Grand Piano, by popular vote following a national competition, two years ago. 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.”

Ahead of the concert students will have the opportunity to take part in a masterclass with music teacher Jon Driver.

“The master class will be focused on bits they would like help on in their piece that they are performing. Bits their worried about and tips to improve their performance,” said Jon.

He will conclude the evening and play Beethoven Pathetique Sonata 1st Movement (a set piece for GCSE music Year 10s) and also All of Me by John Schmidt.