MUSICAL maestros of a century ago are taking centre stage for a display themed on the Three Choirs Festival at a Hereford museum.

While contemporary musicians tune-up for the 2003 extravaganza, from Saturday until August 22, the museum has prepared a display of instruments and other paraphernalia from the stars of the 1903 Hereford festival.

Photographs, programmes and other contemporary artefacts will join items on loan from the family of Sir Percy Hull, the great organist, in the community cases of the museum in Broad Street.

Lara Latcham, visitor services officer, said: "It's wonderful to see how prestigious and diverse the festival was in 1903.

"So many of the performers and composers were, or became, internationally recognised. It's also interesting to see the local talent rubbing shoulders with the famous.

"From Elgar and Parry to Miss Evangeline Anthony, a pupil of the organ master, making her festival debut, the cast is fascinating."

Continuing the theme of music, and in honour of the Three Choirs Festival, 19th century wind instruments will be in the foyer of the Broad Street building.

Kate Andrew, Herefordshire Council's principal heritage officer, has collated the display, called West Gallery Wind, which includes instruments that would have been played in the west gallery of churches in place of an organ.

Kate said: "The instruments are beautiful and also have superb names. My favourite is the double flageolette, but I have a soft spot for the serpent!" Both displays run to September 8.