Venues across Norwich are being filled with music as the annual Norfolk County Music Festival celebrates its 90th anniversary year.

Eastern Daily Press: The junior string ensembles playing at the Norfolk County Music Festival 2015. The Mini Cellos group play before the adjudicator. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe junior string ensembles playing at the Norfolk County Music Festival 2015. The Mini Cellos group play before the adjudicator. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2015)

The event began on Monday and festival trustee Ian Chopping said it was off to a flying start with great performances by the young people taking part.

'It's all been going really well. Positivity sums it up,' said Mr Chopping, who is also assistant head of service for Norfolk Music Service.

'All the participants have been concentrating like mad and getting very good comments from the adjudicators.

'It's a really positive experience for all concerned, from the teachers listening to their pupils to the pupils that are playing. The festival is off to a flying start.'

Eastern Daily Press: The junior string ensembles playing at the Norfolk County Music Festival 2015. The Brundall Primary School Strings play. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe junior string ensembles playing at the Norfolk County Music Festival 2015. The Brundall Primary School Strings play. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2015)

He said it was great how the festival brought musicians from across the county together and that he wanted to thank everybody who is involved.

He said: 'We have got over 4,000 children performing over the two weeks. It just shows the importance of music organisations and teachers all working together to create this opportunity.'

Piano, string instruments and percussion are the main focus of the festival this week.

Among those performing today were the Mini Cellos junior ensemble and Brundall Primary School Strings who both played at the Central Baptist Church, in Duke Street.

On Sunday the festival is presenting a 90th birthday concert at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich.

Throughout next week there will be performances by school choirs, young and adult singers, brass, recorders and woodwind.

The festival is organised by a team that includes Norfolk County Music Festival Charitable Trust, Norfolk County Music Service and private providers such as the Wharf Academy. Venues involved include the Assembly House, Central Baptist Church, St Andrew's Hall, Norwich Salvation Army Citadel and City of Norwich School.

For more about the festival, visit www.norfolk-music-festival.org