The 51st Bolton Schools' Music Festival opens

Children aged seven-to-11 took to stage for the 51st festival, a five-night celebration of music.

Jane Hampson, a trustee of Trust Music, which this year organised the event, said: "Monday's concert was a tremendous start to an exciting week of music making.

"Children sang beautifully, with enthusiasm and gusto."

The concert opened with a performance by Bolton Youth Clarinet Choir.

Schools which performed on the first night were Blackrod Primary School, Brownlow Fold Primary School, Eagley Infant School, Eagley Junior School, Harwood Meadows Community Primary School, Johnson Fold Community Primary School, Spindle Point Primary School, SS Peter and Paul RC Primary School, St Gregory’s RC Primary School

Songs performed included Any Dream Will Do from the hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat as well as all the children joining in to sing "Victorians – What they did for us" by Mary Green and Julie Stanley. The song was composed for the Singing Challenge 2019 organised by the Greater Manchester Music Education.

"That song went down a storm because it was full of action," said Jane, The last song performed was 'Our Gift to You' which all the children signed. It was beautiful to watch and to hear."

She added: "This is a lovely festival which children will always remember for the rest of their lives. It is a very special occasion for them."

Jane said the festival reflected that music was alive in Bolton's schools, with children experience the joy of singing."

Yesterday Bolton Saxophone Choir opened the concert followed by performances by Holy Infant and St Anthony RC Primary School, Leverhulme Community Primary School, Markland Hill Primary School, Masefield Primary School, Mytham Primary School, Red Lane Primary School, St Mary’s (Deane) CE Primary School, St Thomas (Halliwell) CE Primary School and St William of York RC Primary School.

The concert starts at 7pm every night.