The festival, which showcases instrumental ensembles, began last year with 80 students from Brauer, Warrnambool and Kings colleges in Warrnambool taking part.

The participation levels have grown for 2017 with around 140 students from primary and secondary schools across the region on show.

The secondary students come from Brauer, Kings,  Camperdown and Terang colleges while primary students are from Warrnambool, Warrnambool East, Merrivale, Cudgee and Nullawarre schools.

Brauer College head of music Hannah O’Neill-Smart came up with the concept for the festival, along with Fiona Pugh (Terang, Camperdown and Brauer College) and Andrew Philpot (Kings College).

Ms O’Neill-Smart said the festival is aimed at promoting collaboration between schools and young musicians in the district.

“Last year we ran the festival over one day and this year it has grown and we are now hosting it across two full days,” she said.

The festival began with rehearsals on Thursday and will conclude on Friday with final rehearsals in the morning, before the staging of two shows in the afternoon, at 12 noon and 1.45pm, at Brauer College’s performing arts centre. Both shows are open to the public.

The concerts will include junior and intermediate concert bands, a jazz ensemble, a strings orchestra and a mixed Orff ensemble.

Ms O’Neill-Smart said the festival is a great learning tool for young performers.

“A lot of children at smaller schools are learning their music in isolation,” she said.

“The festival gives students from the bigger and smaller schools the chance to come together to collaborate and meet people who also have a passion for music.

“It is a great networking opportunity for the students to take part in and it also shows off their considerable talents.”

As well as learning from each other, students will be able to take advantage of mentoring from conductor Dr Rob McWilliams, who is Yamaha Music Australia's education outreach clinician. Dr McWilliams travels the country working with young musicians.