The weather in St Andrews today is miserable and not likely to change for the better but I'm here for the music and although some street events are planned the overwhelming majority are indoors.

The opening concert was preceded by some words of welcome and wisdom from the university principal throughout which a young French group behind me chattered even after being hushed. I had no more interest in what she had to say than them in fact but the convention is that such remarks should be listened to in respectful silence.  They have clearly not seen God Bless America where such behaviour reaps a just reward.

The concert itself was terrific.  It opened with a stomping extravaganza involving bagpipes, fiddle, accordion and bodrum in addition to nine saxophones of varying sizes.  Then the Scottish Chamber Orchestra came on and we had four different works and four different saxophone soloists.

Of the five works played four were by living composers (all present) and two were world premieres and I loved them all which goes to show that contemporary music doesn't have to be hard to listen to.

Now I'm trying to pick what to go to tomorrow.  There are 71 events to choose from plus the outdoor stuff (rain permitting) plus the three dozen stalls of those hawking instruments, music and assorted paraphernalia.