Ok...
well it was a very very cool day for everybody, especially the kids
.
Unfortunately my sons ensemble/group did not win ( that honour went to a singing group from St. peters high school with a poppy rocky type tune which was pretty good, given the event i thought).
I went back stage with the kids to their allocated dressing room (no.5) and nerves were running high...but they managed to get in a couple of practice runs on the piano in the dressing room and calm down a little. They were on second out of the 10 finalists (out of about 3000 submissions apparently!)...there was a performece 10 & 5 minutes call...just like in the films...and then they walked on stage right and set up....the audiance was mainly friends familiy and teachers etc from the performing schools, the hall was not full to capacity (just the ground floor chairs really and a few side seats)...but it was still a good enough crowd to make the day 'real' for the kids.
Each band got a short sound check...except ours
...oh well...but they just cracked on and did it anyway! They were the youngest group on the day, and the smallest (only 4 kids)...but they played very well under pressure and above all they really enjoyed the day and the experience. The singer (Amelia) was easily the best singer of the entire day, definately the next Celene Dion or Charlotte church (vocally).
Oh..yeah...and the Prince of Bruni (sp) was a judge for some reason....so my son can now add not only a performance at the RAH to his CV but also that he has entertained royalty
!
I stood in the wings watching my son play on one of the most famous stages in the world...I looked out into the audiance and saw my wife crying ...it was a very emotional moment.
The event was filmed professionally by the hall. I dont know if/when/how it will be available....I suspect they will edit it and incorporate bits of it into the final show DVD...we'll have to wait and see. Private video etc was forbidden at the hall, however my brother in law did film the performance...he will burn to DVD and send to me soon, all being well.
...so...1 winning group and 9 second places was the final result...and it was a brilliant day for all involved.
I got to 'hang' with the band all day
....today it's like...down to earth with a bump....back to school on boxing day is how it feels...oh well....but what a day for the kids!
