ONE of the oldest and most highly regarded events of its kind in the UK, Southampton Festival of Music and Drama is continuing to hit the high notes in 2012.

Hundreds of talented children and adults are being judged on performances in everything from bands to brass and pianos to percussion.

A host of schools impressed yesterday in the choir contest and composition classes have been added to the festival, which first began in 1926, for the first time this year.

Competitions continue this weekend with vocal, speech and drama, guitar and chairman’s classes taking place.

Winners in all sections then come together for a celebratory closing concert on March 30.

All the results from the first week of competition at Thornden Hall are listed in a special souvenir spread in today's Daily Echo.