Perform in Perth the 87th Perthshire Musical Festival opens today, attracting hundreds of competitors over the next two weeks.
Entry has been strong in recent years, with a wealth of young people from across Tayside and Fife becoming involved in the competition.
Over the next fortnight, they will perform in a series of competitive and non-competitive classes before top-class adjudicators, with support from some equally fine accompanists.
They will aim to impress in the hope of securing an elusive 90-plus score, with the very finest receiving one of many special awards.
During the course of the festival, competitors will be performing at one of two venues, either at St Leonard’s-in-the-Fields Church or the concert hall.
Festival association chairman Sandy Scrimgeour said, “We are blessed in Perth and Kinross to have the support of a number of schools and the dedication of so many tutors in music, in song, in dance, in poetry and in prose.
“I thank them for their continuing work. I hope that they can perhaps persuade even more of their colleagues to give students the opportunity to perform at the festival in the coming years.
“Whether in a competitive or a non-competitive class, it is almost possible to see students grow in stature during the few minutes they are on stage.
“The increased confidence gained from performing to an audience has a spin-off in so many unrelated areas of life.”
The festival runs until Saturday, March 19, with the competitors and organisers taking each Sunday for a rest day.For more information visit www.perthshire-music-festival.org.uk