Otago Secondary Schools Music Festival co-ordinator Sara Brown's eyes lit up when she spoke of the experience of being one of the 400 pupils involved in the annual event.
She reflected on her time performing as did several others' teachers and parents who supported and attended the festival, which is in its 40th year, last night.
A combined orchestra, choir and jazz band, consisting of pupils from 18 Otago secondary schools and one guest school from Tasmania, ensured the event was one to remember.
Winner of the 40th Anniversary Fanfare Composition Competition, Kaikorai Valley College pupil Corwin Newall, had the honour of having his piece open the night.
Dunedin composer and conductor Karen Knudson was also commissioned to write a song for the combined choir.
"That's going to be really good to hear," Ms Brown said.
The festival began when the National Band of New Zealand toured the country and asked some schools to perform at a concert.
It was now an opportunity for young musicians to be with their peers in a non-competitive, all-inclusive environment.
Ms Brown believed the festival was the only one of its kind still running in New Zealand, which reflected the co-operative nature of music teachers in Otago schools.
