Joined: Aug 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 2,039 Location: Buckinghamshire, England
Re: Funny Caption Competition No. 2 « Result #3 Today at 2:33pm »
The HWI Caption Contest!
Welcome to the second competition. The rules are exactly the same as for the first competition. Every member is invited to submit a caption for each or any of the three photos shown below. Here are the rules again:
Rules
-- 3 photos
-- 1 caption per photo
-- The idea of the captions is provide an entertaining voice to the subjects of the photo or a humorous insight into what might be happening. It doesn't need to be a single line, it could even be a short conversation. So get creative!
-- Members have just over a week in which to post their captions and the closing date is 19th February.
-- For ease of viewing, it is requested that the small version of the relevant image is placed above each caption. Simply copy the url under the large image and insert it into img tags in your post. The end result looking something like this:
For Example:
"The first person to speak gets to duet with Kiri Te Kanawa!"
-- If the response is high then the HWI staff team may pick a short list but either way we will then set up a Poll to allow members to vote and choose the winner.
Joined: Nov 2008 Gender: Female Posts: 1,062 Location: Queensland, Australia
Re: Hayley's Fashion « Result #5 Today at 12:23pm »
Hi.
Lindka Cierarch has posted a different model photo of Hayley's Classical Brits dress:
She has also posted a few new items. Considering Hayley's love of red dresses and Lindka's designs, I can't help but wonder if we may see her in this one at some point:
Joined: Oct 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 117 Location: Isle of Wight, U.K.
Re: Andre Rieu « Result #7 Today at 11:26am »
Andre Rieu is performing at The Classical Brits 2010. This is at The Royal Albert Hall on 13th May 2010.Tickets are on sale tommorow 10 February from 9am. Dame Kiri Te Kawana is also performing and being presented with a life time award. Mylene Klass is presenting for the 3rd year.
Joined: Nov 2008 Gender: Female Posts: 1,062 Location: Queensland, Australia
Re: Hayley Sings Japanese Songs (2008 Japan releas « Result #8 Today at 11:08am »
Hi Everyone,
I just recevied my copies of HSJS1 and HSJS2 !! Delivery was very prompt as they were only shipped on Friday and arrived today!
Quite intriugingly, I also received two 1 metre high Deutsche Grammophon promotional calenders with my order. I didn't ask for these, so it was a bit of a suprise -- even though it does explain why 2 CDs were going to weigh a kilo!
Here are my calenders:
They are very nice, but the only artist that I recognised was Lang Lang.
Here are my CDs. Can't wait to get a chance to have a good listen!
The packaging on all of the Japansese CDs is just lovely. They are heavy and they really feel and look like something. I think that as I save up some more money, I'll be getting a few more of Japan only albums.
I wish Hayley would tour North America too, Libby, so my family can see her. But I'm afraid she doesn't quite have a market there to financially risk losing money on a tour that big.
This Sydney concert sounds awesome...if I win the lottery, that is!
Dori
Hi Dori That's a dream we share. But alas I think unless Hayley acquires a management company that is willing to spend some money I'm afraid it won't happen. I was going to send a CD to David Foster but he doesn't accept input from individuals. If you haven't heard of him in the U S they call him the hit man. Look him up on goggle. He put on a show on T V including Katherine Jenkins.
Joined: Jul 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 6,788 Location: Spondon, Derby UK
Re: Hayley Westenra Twitter Account « Result #25 Yesterday at 7:43pm »
Hi Bill
Interesting! Thanks for finding the write up. Never been a fan of Amway but the fact that Hayley was invited to perform at such a prestigious event speaks volumes.
Yet another feather in Hayley's cap (She must have quite a few by now! )
Attitude is everything, shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll be among the stars.
Joined: Nov 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 414 Location: Kansas, USA
Re: Hayley Westenra Twitter Account « Result #26 Yesterday at 7:20pm »
Hello Everyone,
This must be the private gig Hayley was talking about in a recent tweet.
Quote:
Millbrook Resort A Big Hit With Amway Home › Business Read More: AMWAY JAPAN LIMITED Al Arab Amway Japan DUBAI David Onions Dubai Dubai,United Arab Emirates Hayley Westenra Karen Whittaker Millbrook NEW YORK New York New York,New York,United States Peter Hillary Peter Hughes-Hallett Queenstown VIP VIP Industries Ltd Yoji Kimura Contributor: Voxy News Engine Monday, 8 February, 2010 - 15:01
Queenstown's five-star Millbrook Resort has had its busiest January ever, playing host to close to 300 Japanese Amway distributors and staff.
The four VIP groups of distributors, who stayed at Millbrook in two 'waves' over a two-week period, were each at Millbrook for five days, enjoying welcome functions complete with a New Zealand Haka, golf on Millbrook's renowned championship course, treatments at The Spa at Millbrook, recognised among the top ten hotel spas worldwide, and gala dinners at The Hills with presentations by Peter Hillary and performances from international songstress Hayley Westenra.
The groups, which included the top 300 achievers in Japan and the top achiever in the world, were reported to be "thrilled" with the world class facilities Millbrook had to offer and enjoyed exploring the wider Queenstown region.
"The facilities at Millbrook were truly world class," said Peter Hughes-Hallett, Vice President of Amway Japan, who travelled to New Zealand with them.
"It was the perfect location in which to host and reward our top distributors, many of whom were on their first ever visit to New Zealand. The chance to relax and take a break from the fast-paced life in Japan, surrounded by the quality of Millbrook and the natural beauty of Queenstown, was beyond the expectations of our Distributor VIPs."
During their visit, the Amway delegates experienced some of the best activities Queenstown has to offer including scenic heli-flights, trips to Milford Sound, bungy jumping, and a full range of soft adventure activities and shopping.
Millbrook General Manager David Onions estimated that the groups would have brought an estimated $1.3m-worth of business to Millbrook and Queenstown.
"Hosting the Amway delegates is a significant boost for the Queenstown tourism economy at a time when Japanese visits to New Zealand have been in decline," he said.
"The calibre of this group and the fact that they chose Millbrook following two years' of discussion with our C&I team and Japanese sales manager Yoji Kimura of Japan Connect NZ reinforces Millbrook's five-star brand and the range of venues and open space available here.
"A conference or incentive stay and the range of experiences on offer at Millbrook is limited only by your imagination. We hope many members of this group will return to stay here and will tell their friends about Queenstown."
Karen Whittaker, Millbrook Sales Manager Conference and Events, said Millbrook already had more confirmed business for 2010 than for the whole of 2009.
"On top of that we are still getting plenty of short lead enquiries," she said. "Continued investment in the resort is helping to keep it at the top of its game on local, national and international levels."
Japanese Amway distributors have previously stayed in places including Dubai's Burj Al Arab, New York's renowned Waldorf Astoria and Brunei's Empire Hotel.
To top off their perfect Queenstown experience, each Amway distributor was given local Pounamu and a bottle of New Zealand wine.
Founded over 50 years ago, Amway is a major global direct selling company that distributes over 450 million health, beauty and household products through a large network of over 3.5 million independent business owners.
For further information on accommodation and facilities at Millbrook, please visit www.millbrook.co.nz
Joined: Jul 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 6,788 Location: Spondon, Derby UK
Re: Possible Christmas Concert, Sydney - December « Result #28 Yesterday at 7:02pm »
Hi Roger
Again, not convinced! I've already seen this - I think the word I'm looking for is 'underwhelmed' 2 months experience doesn't give him a deal of credibility - perhaps if he'd spent more time working on making his web site look at least half professional!
It does seem to suggest that the period of consultancy was June/July 2009 and thus his involvement is over. At least that gives a glimmer of hope that a concert may be in the offing.
Joined: Jan 2008 Gender: Female Posts: 35 Location: KS
Re: Phillippa Lusty « Result #30 Yesterday at 6:06pm »
Here's the cynic signing in...
Just kidding-- I really like Pippa's voice! I've known about her for a couple years now, and keep checking her myspace for new material! I think my favorite track is "Hushabye Mountain."
Joined: Jan 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 1,636 Location: Kansas City, USA
Re: Classical-Crossover.co.uk « Result #31 Yesterday at 5:38pm »
I'm starting to get confused by this fascinating discussion. Until recently I always thought of "Classical Crossover" as a sub-genre of "easy listening" music. Easy listening is a wide category in that it doesn't exclude any one style, so long as it's not terribly serious on the ears. Singers like Hayley and pre-2002 Charlotte have delicious voices that go down easy, whereas well-trained operatic singers have an edge to them that takes some getting used to.
But now I see that ClassicalCrossover.co.uk blurs the line between easy and edgy in its range of singers. It's as though the "easy listening" aspect isn't the primary consideration. In the case of one singer, Patrizia, not only is her voice edgy but the backing music is sometimes jarring.
Maybe some further hair-splitting is required to list the various sub-genres within classical crossover. I would start with music made by extremely trained (edgy) singers and consider that a world in itself. Then I would set aside the softer singers with easy voices and regard that as a type. Perhaps we could properly divide CC into "heavy" and "lite" on the basis of who's singing.
Joined: May 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 2,506 Location: Illawarra NSW Australia
Re: Possible Christmas Concert, Sydney - December « Result #32 Yesterday at 5:33pm »
Hi All, I'm so used to looking at Australia as not aware of the name Hayley Westenra at all that I took a while before I even took a peek at this thread. But time will tell....can't imagine the SOH being used for a so called corporate event but I suppose it could be marketed as one of a series of shows which people hold subscriptions for.
And the amateurish way the website is presented is quite unconvincing & halfhearted.
On a positive note, if it happens, I'd be as thrilled as any other Hayley fans to book a couple of seats in the front row next to Kevin Rudd. Graeme
The loveliest, sweetest flower that bloomed in paradise, and the first that died, has rarely blossomed since on mortal soil. It is so frail, so delicate, a thing, it is gone if it but look upon itself; and she who ventures to esteem it hers proves by that single thought she has it not. Humility - Fry
Just wrote this on my Facebook status, but I'm hoping here someone can answer my question!
HOW DID HE DO IT!?"
Hi Nicola,
I thought I'd seen something, found it! There was a two page front cover spread in Music Week just before Christmas and Decca only do that if they are going to do heavy promotion for an artist, here is 2nd page from it:
A case of a record company getting what it pays for, I guess. The bonus DVD helps!
Joined: Aug 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 2,655 Location: Leicester, England
Re: Vote for Hayley « Result #34 Yesterday at 4:00pm »
We are losing ground at the noment at the rate od 2 votes every 2 hours. Now 10 ahead, so come 10 hours time, Rhydian will be back in front. Unless we get some more votes in.
It would be good if we could build up a sizeable lead, like a coupl;e of hundred votes, that might put them off a bit.
Yess, opera is opera, but some opera is crossover and some isn't. I think it becomes crossover when it is sung by singers who do not perform in actual operas.
One definition of classical crossover is just "collections of popular classical pieces" so they can be classical crossover too, even from opera singers!
So Dame Kiri, who sings in operas, is not a crossover artist even if she sings the same songs as Katherine J who is. And even if she sings songs from pop or musical theatre (which I have heard her do).
I agree, because Dame Kiri is primarily an opera singer. So is Rolando Villazon, who has a new album out today which I would personally describe as a classical crossover album. But of course he remains primarily an opera singer.
Of course artists do not like to be limited by the boundaries of "generes" anyway, as you mention with respect to Sarah.
True, as is the case with Hayley. Nevertheless, most people who know about and understand all kinds of music would describe both of them as classical crossover singers.
So the genres actually often overlap. Classic FM claims to play classical music, and does not play some of the music we label crossover, for example two of Katherines albums are not deemed to be classical enough for that station. (Incidentally this in the UK results in lack of airplay which might be the reason why "Believe", an album that I enjoy, didn't sell better).
I notice too that when they play Hayley, they choose her more classical pieces and ignore the pop. Although for some reason, it seems that film music counts as classical too, something I could never understand. So it isn't just as you expect, having to be composed by a recognised classical composer.
Classic FM define their classical music on a track by track basis, not by albums or singers. The charts companies define it by the overall content of albums, that's the difference. They do not play upto 40% of the tracks (the non-classical ones) that can appear on "classical" albums. But if Katherine or Andrea for example record a pop album, they may still play any classical tracks that do appear on them - but of course, none will get played in classical chart related shows. They will not usually play pop songs, whatever album they appear on and whoever sings them.
Some film composers are in fact "recognised classical composers" and any film composer can have a specific album considered for inclusion as classical. If their soundtracks are played entirely or mostly by a symphony orchestra for example, and the record company wants it to be counted as classical, that will usually be agreed. James Horner's Titanic soundtrack is a good example.
Your (and my) definition of crossover is clearly more towards the "pop" side of things than Classic FM's, although I'm sure they call it "classical" even if the majority of the artists in their chart are crossover.
Perverse isn't it? Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights is "pop", but Hayley's version is "crossover". Pop stations will play Kate's version but not Hayley's. Things like that can be confusing, and takes a bit of getting your brain around.
Pop stations will play songs by pop singers, so Kate Bush is in and Hayley is (usually) out. Kate's version is of course the original "classic" and is the most well known among the general public, it will nearly always be the one that gets played.
Conclusion?
Of course, people can define classical crossover pretty well any way they like! Classic FM stick to the "Popular Classical Music" definition and exclude "Classical Pop" in the Simon Cowell mould (Il Divo, Paul Potts). These are are two very different animals to my eyes, but they are both varieties of classical crossover to many people. Who are the classical crossover performers though? People who mainly perform either type of classical crossover music, I'd say, but that's just me.
Joined: Aug 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 2,655 Location: Leicester, England
Re: Possible Christmas Concert, Sydney - December « Result #36 Yesterday at 12:50pm »
Like Grant, I too could be tempted. Especially since I could be retired by then. What a way to celebrate. Then go on to NZ for a motorhome tour, a longtime ambition of ours.
Sydney Opera House I have seen, but never got to hear a performance there. To hear Hayley there would be awesome!
Might mean Christmas away from the family though, and I'm not sure if Sue could be persuaded!
Joined: Aug 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 2,655 Location: Leicester, England
Re: Classical-Crossover.co.uk « Result #38 Yesterday at 12:41pm »
Hi Nicola and everyone,
The more i think about it, the more I think setting the boundaries of a genre like Crossover is all but impossible.
Yess, opera is opera, but some opera is crossover and some isn't. I think it becomes crossover when it is sung by singers who do not perform in actual operas.
So Dame Kiri, who sings in operas, is not a crossover artist even if she sings the same songs as Katherine J who is. And even if she sings songs from pop or musical theatre (which I have heard her do).
Of course artists do not like to be limited by the boundaries of "generes" anyway, as you mention with respect to Sarah.
So the genres actually often overlap. Classic FM claims to play classical music, and does not play some of the music we label crossover, for example two of Katherines albums are not deemed to be classical enough for that station. (Incidentally this in the UK results in lack of airplay which might be the reason why "Believe", an album that I enjoy, didn't sell better).
I notice too that when they play Hayley, they choose her more classical pieces and ignore the pop. Although for some reason, it seems that film music counts as classical too, something I could never understand. So it isn't just as you expect, having to be composed by a recognised classical composer.
Your (and my) definition of crossover is clearly more towards the "pop" side of things than Classic FM's, although I'm sure they call it "classical" even if the majority of the artists in their chart are crossover.
Perverse isn't it? Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights is "pop", but Hayley's version is "crossover". Pop stations will play Kate's version but not Hayley's. Things like that can be confusing, and takes a bit of getting your brain around.
Joined: Aug 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 2,655 Location: Leicester, England
Re: Hayley Westenra Twitter Account « Result #39 Yesterday at 12:11pm »
Hayley is now No 2 in the "Best Celebrity Tweeter" poll, and I'm proud to say i think it was my vote that put her there. But could not have been achived with out a lot of help from all of you, she picked up over 500 votes this morning. What magnificent support!
And now, first place is in reach, 1622 votes away as I type. So keep voting!
Hi Mel. You're absolutely right !! The bra shown here is as comfy as !! As you may notice it comes with matching knickers but there's more !!
For those of us with, err, ample figures the optional lower straps are a real boon. Do away with a waist altogether.
Graeme
LOL, awesome Graeme, you have yourself a stunning design there, the BELLY straps could catch on and you could be on a real winner, you might have to consult with our resident fashion consultant Jillian just to do a feasibility study of your design and perhaps you might send your first garment off to Hayley as a nice gesture. Mel.xxx
Joined: Nov 2008 Gender: Female Posts: 1,062 Location: Queensland, Australia
Re: Ronan Keating « Result #43 Yesterday at 10:04am »
I went to see Ronan Keating perform at Sirromet WInery at Mount Cotton near Brisbane on Australia Day (26 January).
Here's a couple of dodgy pictures of the day.
I had an amazing time. I bought the tickets as a birthday present for my Mum (as she loves Ronan) but I'm not sure who had the most fun! He really is very good live -- much, much better than his CDs.
My favourite song he sung was 'Wild Mountain Thyme'. I also liked 'We've Got Tonight' which he performed with one of his backup dancers. He was accompanied by a band and a string quartet who were just amazing -- they played some solos. So a great night.
Joined: Jan 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 1,482 Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Re: Possible Christmas Concert, Sydney - December « Result #49 Yesterday at 6:41am »
I wish Hayley would tour North America too, Libby, so my family can see her. But I'm afraid she doesn't quite have a market there to financially risk losing money on a tour that big.
This Sydney concert sounds awesome...if I win the lottery, that is!