Isle of Wight pop band, Trash

Over 800 young musicians are taking part in 2-day festival of schools music in Southampton.

Adjudicators and audience

The Regional Heats of the Music for Youth Festival is being held at Taunton's College.

The event has attracted ensembles from Worthing, recorder players from Bournemouth and Isle of Wight rock bands.

Although there are no 'winners' as such, there are adjudicators to pick the best of the bunch. They will then go forward to a national concert on the South Bank in London in July and have the possibility of playing in the Schools Prom.

Larry Weston from Music for Youth

The Music for Youth organisation dates back to 1971 and has spent the last three decades encouraging music in schools.

It's founder Larry Weston was guest of honour at Tauntons and clearly enjoyed his visit to Southampton.

"There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and comaradery", he said.

That sentiment was echoed by Jane Higgens - Head of Music at Tauntons College: "They put an enormous amount of work into it - and you can see that from the polished performances, they're wonderful!"

	Jane Higgens on the Music for Youth festival at Taunton's College.
	Music for Youth Founder, Larry Weston