On Wednesday 28th January, Imberhorne School played host to a myriad of musical talent in the form of the KS4 concert. Backstage, violinists, singers, drummers, guitarists and many others ‘quaked like jelly’ before their performances in front of (over) enthusiastic parents, siblings and friends who ignored pleas not to come and embarrass the aforementioned musicians. Miss Barwell and Mr Perkins tried to alleviate the fear with an impromptu foxtrot, but to no avail.The evening began with the entrants for the prestigious Key Stage 4 Musician of the Year Award. The student musicians, ‘terror-struck’ backstage, managed to hide their fears when they stepped onstage and the audience clapped and cheered encouragingly. The ‘poor, tortured’ performers were forced to wait throughout the interval and the entire second act before finding out who had won. Various plans to escape and eavesdrop on the judges never came to fruition.The second act was an amalgamation of groups, whole classes, and solo performers who preferred not to compete. A notable highlight was the much-anticipated string quartet of Maddie Cutter, Chloe Wallingford, Helen Turner and Ellie Duffy, who sounded as though they had stepped straight out of a royal court of years long ago. The blue sweatshirts didn’t enhance the impression, but let’s not linger on petty details like that.Finally, the wait was over and the announcements were made. Chloe Wallingord (viola) came third, Jamie O’Dell (drums) came second and Maddie Cutter (cello) was the new Musician of the Year. The polite applause was stifling, but all included agreed that the prizes were well-deserved.A big thank you to Miss Barwell, Mrs Hush and Miss Granatt for being brilliant music teachers and organising the concert. Thank you also to Mr Walsh, Miss Barwell and Miss Granatt for judging so fairly, to Mr Perkins for providing amplification for our beautiful music and to the audience, for coming and supporting each and every budding musician. To the musicians...bravo!By M. Birch