TALENTED youngsters have been in fine voice for the start of a musical showcase at one of the world’s most famous concert venues.

A Celebration of Suffolk Schools Music kicked off at Snape Maltings yesterday.

Now in its 26th year the week long event, which ends on Saturday, features youngsters from across the county.

This year promises to be extra special as the theme is “Celebrating Britten” - marking the centenary of composer Benjamin Britten, who was born in Lowestoft and lived at the Red House in Aldeburgh.

Yesterday’s performers included an orchestra from Middleton and Peasenhall primaries, a brass group from Gislingham, an orchestra from Kesgrave High and a swing band from St Louis Catholic Middle School in Bury St Edmunds.

Meanwhile youngsters from Piper’s Vale Primary School in Ipswich performed their own version of Britten’s children’s opera Noye’s Fludde.

Children from Whitton Primary School in Ipswich and Sir Robert Hitcham’s Primary School in Framlingham also took part.

Each day the showcase will culminate with all of the young performers singing a medley of Britten’s Friday Afternoon Songs, which he wrote for children.

With the help of jazz composer Pete Letanka the youngsters have just one hour to rehearse for the grand finale.

A Celebration of Schools’ Music is run by Aldeburgh Music in conjunction with Suffolk County Council.

Today there will be performances from primary schools including Aldeburgh, Bawdsey, Kyson and Woodbridge along with King Edward VI Upper in Bury St Edmunds and St Alban’s High and Beacon Hill in Ipswich.

Lizzie Woods, educational manager for Aldeburgh Music, said: “It promises to be a very exciting week. All the performers have been practising at school and when they arrive they meet the technical team and get the full concert experience.

“It’s a very exciting opportunity and gives a window into the classroom that allows us to see just how talented our schools are. The works are a great tribute to Britten.”

More than 1,600 young people representing primary, middle, secondary and special schools throughout Suffolk will take to the stage this week.

Over the last 26 years more than 30,000 children have performed to an audience of around 75,000.

For more details visit www.aldeburgh.co.uk/education/celebration-schools-music-0.