More than 20 of the finest young oboe players in the world have travelled the globe to reach the Isle of Man for the third Barbirolli International Oboe Festival and Competition.

The festival is renowned as the most prestigious oboe competition in the world and is taking place in the Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin between today (April 5) and next Saturday (April 12) 2014.

The competition, named after and supported by the English oboist Lady Evelyn Barbirolli (Evelyn Rothwell) until her death in 2008, had its origins in the Isle of Wight where it was held for 10 years before moving to the Isle of Man in 2005.

In addition to the competition stages there will be a lecture by Prof George Caird, President and Chairman of the international Jury, on Sunday (April 6) at 8pm.

Oboe Master Classes will be given by Jury members Han de Vries on Monday 7 April and  Maurice Bourgue on Wednesday 9 April, both at 8pm.

There will also be a Forum held at 11am on the day of the final, Saturday 12 April, at which George Caird, Neil Black OBE, Artistic Director of the Festival and Judith Bingham, the British composer of the specially commissioned test piece, will be present.

On offer for the winner is the Evelyn Rothwell Memorial Prize of ?4,000, presented by Jim Mellon and a London recital, together with prizes of ?2,000 and ?1,000 for the runners up and other awards totalling more than ?3,000.

Competitors, including entries from the Far East, Europe, North and South American, were signing in at the centre this morning (Saturday) before the first stage of the competition at 2.30pm today which continues this evening and during tomorrow (Sunday).

Competitors will be rehearsing with their pianists on Monday with public performances taking place on Tuesday at 10.30am, 2pm and 7.30pm. There will be further public stages on Wednesday at 10am and 2pm and again on Thursday at 10am.

Friday will see eight semi-finalists performing in public at 3pm and 8pm from which three finalists will be chosen for the competition final on Saturday, at which the prizes will be presented by the Lieutenant Governor Mr Adam Wood.

Funding for Judith Bingham’s work, Durer Portrait, was provided by Friends Provident International.

Artistic director Neil Black has played in most the world's great musical centres as soloist and Prof Caird has combined a career as an oboist with one as a music educationalist.

Port Erin Commissioners were welcoming the competitors this evening and during the festival there will be master classes and a concert which are open to the public.

The festival, due to have taken place in 2012, was postponed due to lack of sponsors.

It has been made possible thanks to the generosity of Port Erin residents Prof Hugh and Sandra Davidson and Julia and the late Peter Vanderpump and Mr Jim Mellon. The Isle of Man Arts Council and Year of Culture have also contributed.

Director Dr John Bethell, MBE, points out that for the first time the whole event, except for the first stage of the competition, is open to the public with many sessions free of charge.

He hopes that oboe players young and old on the island will visit the festival and that it will bring Port Erin alive with music for the week.