Bolton Schools' Music Festival, Victoria Hall, Bolton. Runs until Friday. PETER Pemrick, the director of Bolton Youth Recorder Consort, unwittingly summed up the whole evening.

"Music should be fun," he declared, before leading his charges into the opening bars of Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.

Right on, Mr Pemrick, I say. And didn't the schools involved enjoy themselves at the opening night of this marvellous event.

All round the concert was slicker than I remember it being last year, with much less furniture being moved between acts. The organisers deserve much credit for this.

For me there were three highlights from the opening evening, although it must be stressed that all the performances were memorable.

Top of the tree for me was Firwood School's Any Dream Will Do and You Are My Brother, using MAKATON style signing, which brought prolonged and thoroughly justified applause from the large audience.

Then there was all that singing by the massed choir, superbly marshalled by the animated Jane Hampson.

This was closely followed by St Joseph's School, who gave us one of the evening's most entertaining moments with their Saturday Afternoon football song, and an imaginative Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, featuring the mellow tones of the older boys.

Other contributions came from the excellent Bolton Youth Flute Choir, Eagley Infant School, St Paul's CE Primary School, St Columba's RC Primary School, Eagley Junior School, The Parochial CE Primary School, Westhoughton, Egerton CP School, Devonshire Road CP School, and St Bede's CE Primary School.

Last night's event was sponsored by the Bolton Evening News. Sponsors on the following nights include Booths Music, W & J (Paints) Ltd, Harker and Howarth (Music) Ltd and Warburtons Ltd. Nick Jackson

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