THE sweet sound of Swindon’s musicians will be entertaining audiences during the next week as the town’s music festival begins.

Singers, violinists, guitarists and pianists will be among the performers at the 103rd annual Swindon Music Festival, which starts on Friday and finishes with the Grand Concert on March 24.

There will be eight days of music and they will be accompanied by adjudicators Andrew Hanford, Roy Abbey and Penelope Price Jones.

Festival chairman Geoff Walters said: “It is just a great week of music and music making and the opportunity for literally hundreds of people to enjoy performing and watching. It is such a special week and those that get involved really do enjoy it.

“Really what we are saying to the general public is there are so many good classes going on in the day we would love people just to come along and enjoy them.”

The festival, which is sponsored by Nationwide, will start with singing in Christ Church on Friday, and there will be instrumental pieces, guitar and piano at the Arts Centre on Saturday, as well as sessions throughout the week.

The Grand Concert, including the Senior Vocal Championship and the Supreme Championship, will take place on March 24 at 6.30pm with the winner walking away with the Stuart MacPherson trophy.

Geoff said that everyone is welcome to watch the performances.

“What they will get is an amazing session. We have ages from really tiny ones who are four years old right the way up to their 80s,” he said. “Anybody can come at any time, they are very welcome. I think a lot of people would really enjoy it.”

Entry to the day sessions is £1 and evening sessions are £2 except for evening sessions on March 17, 21, 23 and 24 which are £4. Visit swindonmusicfestival.

co.uk for details.