This was a gem of concert, played from every corner of the Ashton Hall to a packed house, and it reflected some stunning musical achievements by pupils throughout the school. All credit to Martin Schellenberg and his very hard working staff of musicians for unlocking and developing such talent.

The Brass Ensemble opened the concert with a strident March by Bach, followed by an excellent choral performance from the Form 1’s, including Who Will Buy? from Oliver. The large String Ensemble then played two pieces (by Susato and Diabelli) with great confidence, before Adam Smith performed his solo of Leonard Bernstein’s America with great aplomb.

Some jazz from the Unplugged quartet was then followed by a wonderful solo from Wulstan Nixon on the piano, playing Bjelinski’s Alarm. Then another choral interlude, this time from the Palace choir, whose Kalinka had everyone briskly tapping their feet. Claire O’Shea’s sensitively played flute solo of Dvorak’s Allegretto (Symphony No.8) preceded a directoral debut for Simon Edwardes conducting the top year band in their James Bond reprisal.

From the stage we were then entertained by The Sticks (Abberley’s percussion group) before the String Trio of Peregrine Dunn, Chloe Evans and Andrew Spicer played a difficult piece by Mozart with great flair and not a little nerve. Robert Hinchley then soloed Soldier, Soldier with evident confidence, before the Flute Ensemble successfully played two beautiful pieces, Lightly Row and Edelweiss.

Grace Jones’ solo of the The Lark lived up to its name in every respect, before ‘MPG’ gave us a wake up blast of the Fratellis. Chloe Evans then confidently soloed some Brahms on her cello before the Junior Choir sang The Jones Boys and The Tiger. Simon Edwardes then played Maria from West Side Story with great feeling before the Cellini group gathered to play Shepherd’s Hey and Comin’ Home.

Shamus Palmer then produced a brilliantly melodramatic revival of Bring him home from Les Miserables, sustaining a look of bright-eyed expectation throughout his performance, before Miles Burke and Ali Webb’s ‘5th Fret’ rock medley and Peregrine Dunn’s solo of Under The Greenwood Tree.

Yet all this proved to be a prelude to the undoubted sensation of the morning, Abi Pearson’s remarkably mature and moving solo in the Chapel Choir’s accomplished rendition of Mendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer. Abi’s seemingly nerveless performance will live long in the memory of all who were there.