ASPIRING performers struck the right chords with audiences at the Arts Centre as part of the Swindon Music Festival.

The popular event, now in its 106th year, has been running all week.

Yesterday’s daytime activities saw young pianists, keyboard stars and recorder players assessed.

Yvonne Walker, festival secretary, said: “Everything has gone very well and we’ve welcomed lots of talented young people.

“I’ve been doing this for 10 years and it is great to see the youngsters coming back year after year and showing how they have succeeded in developing their skills.

“The atmosphere is very friendly and laid back.

“In my opinion, the festival highlight is the piano classes as we have large entry numbers and many of the competitors have achieved marks in excess of 90, which is just fantastic.

“I know the adjudicator, Elizabeth Childs, has been very impressed by the standard.”

Yesterday evening the Devizes Road centre hosted the festival’s Instrumental Championship.

Yvonne said: “I really enjoy the Instrumental Championship as we welcome back winners from all the classes held.”

Today, there will be a vocal competition taking place, with adjudicator Maria Jagusz assessing the entrants.

This year’s festival will come to a close with the Supreme Championship, which is also being held at the Arts Centre, on Saturday evening.

As well as praising the competitors, the festival’s organisers expressed delight at the support of the public.

Yvonne said: “The festival is run entirely by volunteers. We have a committee of 15 members but we do depend on about half-a-dozen people who also help us during the festival. On behalf of the festival, I’d like to thank everyone involved.”

Geoff Walters, festival chairman, added: “My sincere thanks to all those who ensure our festival runs smoothly each year.

“Thanks to our helpers who assist with stewarding, to the friends of the festival, to our advertisers and sponsors.”

The Junior Vocal Championship is tomorrow, and the Senior Vocal Championship on Saturday, all costing £5. Entry to Saturday’s Supreme Championship is £7.50.

The festival is often quoted as the place where the likes of pianist Jamie Cullum and actresses Diana Dors and Sarah Covey first made their mark.

To find out more about the programme visit www.swindonmusicfestival.co.uk

All the results of the festival yesterday...

62 Piano Solo 7 and under, Olivia Lim, 87;

63 Piano Solo 9 and under, The Beatrice Cripps Memorial Cup, Tanisha Nararatne, 88;

84 Piano Duet 9 and under, Sasha Rachel Fernanades & Aadit Sikand, 85;

85 Piano Duet 11 and under, Scarlett O’Brien & Benjamin Canning, 84;

68, Piano Solo Grade 1, The Maureen Barkham Trophy, Tashika Arora, 87; 

69 Piano Solo Grade 2, The Florence Hawkins Cup, Emma Froud, 87; 

73 Piano Sonata Solo 16 and under, The Dennis Stow Trophy, Zoe Tan, 88; 

78 Solo to be played from memory -16 and under, Zoe Tan, 90; 

54 Novice 13, 14, 15 and 16 The Maria Chivers Trophy, Tom Smith, 84; 

76 Solo to be played from memory - 11 and under, Tess Armstrong, 86; 

86 Piano Duet 13 and under, Amy Canning & Alexandra Hunt, 84; 

65 Piano Solo 13 and under, The Jennifer Allen Trophy, Mrunal Mane, 87;

64 Piano Solo 11 and under, Elizabeth Lai, 87; 

133 Modern Popular Piano Solo 11 and under, Cathal O’Connell, 87; 

77 Piano Baroque Solo 16 and under, The Muriel Amor Intermediate Bach Trophy, Aisling O’Connell, 85; 

145 Instrumental Concerto any age, Anahita Falaki, 87; 

140 Instrumental Recital 16 and under, The Swindon Recital Series Junior Trophy, TIED Zoe Tan & Franklyn Ho Kwong Wong, 88;

102 Strings Grades 7-8 Sue Ling Chan, 85;

103 Strings Grade 8 and over, any age, Anahita Falaki, 88.