HEREFORD came alive to the sound of music in August when it hosted this year's Three Choirs Festival. A performance of The Gathering Wave was the first event on the Saturday evening, but the festival opened officially the next day with the traditional procession through the city and opening service, with the first big choral concert that evening. Pictures on this page by Dr Derek Foxton.

1. The procession was led by the Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Robert Preece and the Mayoress, Maureen Preece.

2. Taking their bows after the opening night concert: Elgar's The Kingdom. Front row, from left: Solists Roderick Williams, Adrian Thompson, conductor Geraint Bowen, soloists Catherine Wyn -Rogers and Judith Howarth.

3. Former organist and Master of the Choristers at Hereford Cathedral, Dr Roy Massey.

4. The procession winds its way through Hereford.

5. The festival chorus rehearses Schuman's Das Paradies und die Peri.

6. Roy and Joyce Blackler were among those attending the opening serivce

Three Choirs Festival events continued with a wealth of receptions, afternoon gatherings, workshops and plays alongside the traditional evening concerts. Pictures on this page by David Rose.

7. Kevin Mason, chairman of Hereford Three Choirs Festival Association, with Sir Thomas Dunne KCVO, HM Lord Lieutenant for Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

8. Elizabeth Evans, Jane Hawksley, chairman, and Anthony Evans - all Friends of Hereford Three Choirs Festival.

9. Students from the Cathedral School, Sixth Form College and other city establishments did an excellent job selling programmes throughout the week.

10. Ross Spicer, the festival's stage manager.

11. Alistair Barnet, son of the late Lady Isobel Barnet, and boy soprano Louis-Alexander Dsir, standing between his mother Victoria and Mrs Marion Harris.

12. Peter and Delia Harris, from Kent (far right) and other visitors enjoy tea in the Bishop's Palace gardens.

13. The Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, shows Janet Woodhull and Ursula Warth, both of Minneapolis, Great Britain's oldest example of Norman remains in a building which is still lived in.

Hereford's Three Choirs Festival ended with an evening concert featuring a rousing performance of Belshazzar's Feast, by Walton, followed by a reception and fireworks.

1. Neal Davies, soloist, Andrew Nethsingha, director of music at Gloucester Cathedral, festival conductor Geraint Bowen and Adrian Lucas, master of the choristers at Worcester Cathedral. Peter Dyke, festival organist, applauds in the background.

2. From left: Marcelle Lloyd-Hayes, Frederick Bacon-Shone, from Canda, with festival Stewards and friends.

3. The Very Rev Michael Tavinor, Dean of Hereford, and cathedral secretary Christine Field.

4. The Festival Players perform Hamlet in the Bishop's Palace Garden.

5. Chairman of the festival committee Jeremy Wilding and Philip Dickinson, festival committee administrator. 6. June Chase, Festival Club and catering organiser, and Mrs Juliet Verdin.

7. Andrew Nethsingha conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra and Festival Chorus with soloists James Gilchrist and Matthew Brook.

Photos on this page: David Rose.