What a fantastic weekend ... update on the Royal Albert Hall

Wow, what can I say. I have been so touched by all of your good luck wishes for Ryan and his band this weekend. We have all had a busy weekend and are thoroughly shattered but it was all worth it. To say I am the proudest mother in the world does not even come close to how I am feeling after seeing Ryan step on stage yesterday. I felt so ill, my stomache was churning and I thought my heart would jump out of my chest it was beating so hard. Ryan, on the other hand, took it all in his stride. The band played so well and the second movement was so beautiful you could hear the audience gasp as it ended - close to perfection!! There were so many brilliant bands and Ryan's band would have been happy with a top 10 finish.
They were drawn to play last so as band number 20 they had to wait 7 hours before they could play - a real test of nerves but they did themselves proud. They played their hearts out and when the results were being read out (they only read the top 6 out) and they were not 6th or 5th we figured that they hadn't done enough. WRONG!!!!! They only went and managed 4th place which is just incredible. The 3 bands who came above them are currently ranked 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the world so you cannot complain coming behind them! Even better is that they beat the current world number 1 who came in 7th place yesterday. We are all overjoiced and as a result of their performance they have automatically qualified for next years finals (Top 4 go through by right) which means they do not have to worry during the regional finals in March next year. A big thankyou to you all once again for all your best wishes - I will be calling for your positive vibes again for our next visit in a years time (woohoo). Apologies for the poor piccie but should have some better ones later. This was taken straight after they finished playing - they all dashed outside for this group piccie on the steps that lead up to the Royal Albert Hall.

What an unforgetable day!!