The musical extravaganza starts tonight with a new style Festival Awards Gala at The Palace Theatre in Paignton. The festival then moves to the Riviera International Conference Centre. There will be four mixed nights on Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20, Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 and the festival will come to a stirring close on Wednesday 27 March with the Last Night Celebration Concert. 

Tonight's Festival Awards Gala features a variety of group presentations by young people who have attended workshops to prepare for the evening. These include piano duets, woodwind ensembles, vocal groups and mixed rock/pop groups. Whole group ensemble pieces have also been prepared. 

In the run up to the Gala all young people involved were given the opportunity to attend a masterclass provided by visiting performers, musicians and education experts from the South West Music School, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Wren Music. All these masterclasses will be a valuable part of their development as individual performers. 

The four mixed nights being held between Tuesday 19 and Tuesday 26 March will include performances prepared by schools across Torbay. 

The Last Night Celebration Concert on Wednesday 27 will feature samba drumming and dance groups formed especially for the occasion, performances from all the young people involved in the Festival Awards Gala, the Torbay and South Devon Music Centre Orchestra and local Rock School bands. There will also be a traditional finale when performers come together to sing. 

Torbay Council's Executive Lead for Culture and the Arts, Councillor Dave Butt, said: "Making music and being involved in the performing arts can have wide ranging benefits for young people such as building self esteem, improving emotional health and raising academic achievement. This festival is a fantastic way of encouraging young people to get involved and to continue to discover and explore the performing arts by showcasing and celebrating their talents. 

"The new style Festival program really justified the Arts Council’s award of Music Hub status to Torbay and is an example of the new approach from the music providers who provide their support and time. I would personally like to express my thanks to them all for their terrific efforts." 

Festival organiser, Annabelle Knowles, said: "This festival provides schools the opportunity to show off the very best of their music making talents and enables young people to try something new and to develop their musicianship in a variety of ways. It is the kind of event that people remember being part of for the rest of their lives. 

"I hope that people from across the Bay come along to see the fantastic performances and support all the young people who have worked so hard for this festival." 

Tickets are on sale from the Riviera International Conference Centre Box Office - 01803 206333. They cost £7 for adults and £4 for 16 year olds and under. People who present a mixed night ticket can buy a ticket for the Last Night Celebration Concert for £3.