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Post by John H on Sept 12, 2010 23:36:28 GMT
I was amazed and delighted to find Hayley performing at the Big Sing.
The other guest artists were Russell Watson, Enchanted Voices, Gareth Gates and Mica Paris. Mica and Hayley were last minute substitutes for Beverley Knight. Aled Jones also sang a solo from his new album.
I didn't get any photos but, for Jillian and Libby's benefit, Hayley wore the same off-white dress as at Salisbury, and I think they were probably the same earrings too. Sorry, I didn't get a good look at the shoes, but I think they could have been silver.
Hayley sang Silent Night and some verses of the Twelve Days of Christmas. She also did a short interview with Aled.
The programme with Hayley in will be broadcast on BBC on 26th December. The other Big Sing programme will be on 31st October.
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Post by John H on Sept 13, 2010 10:23:08 GMT
Before people start wondering why I should be amazed at Hayley appearing in Songs of Praise, perhaps I should explain that the guest list had been announced at last week’s choir rehearsal, and Hayley wasn’t on the list. I hope I don’t have to explain why I was delighted.
It was at this event in 2004 that I first encountered Hayley. Strangely enough, she also sang Silent Night then and the memory of that performance has stayed with me ever since. So it was rather special for me to hear her sing the same song again and to be able to contrast the performances. Six years ago, Hayley came across as a somewhat awe-struck teenager but with a beautiful voice. Today the beautiful voice remains but the rest has all changed. I had the privilege of hearing Hayley sing that song three times yesterday; twice in rehearsal as well as for the actual recording. She is much more in control of her own performance now. She was making frequent hand signals to the technical crew during the rehearsal and even suggested a small change to the orchestral accompaniment. I also felt that she put more of herself into the way she sang.
By coincidence, the song which Aled chose to sing from his new Christmas album was “Mary did you know?” I always think of that as a Hayley song, having heard her sing it at another Big Sing.
And yes, I did meet Hayley at the stage door afterwards (someone had to represent HWI there, didn’t they?) and she was lovely. She wasn’t as rushed as when I met her at Croydon and there was time for a photo, but of course my camera batteries had to choose that moment to fail. Thankfully, someone else offered to take a picture of me with Hayley, which I hope to receive by email soon.
John
Edit - picture has arrived, Thanks, Dawn.
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Post by martindn on Sept 13, 2010 18:23:49 GMT
Hi John,
Well you've beaten me to it. I have just heard the same information from one of the group from my church who were at the Albert Hall last night.
Two shows were recorded, one to go out in October, and the other as you said, for Boxing Day.
Glad you were there for HWI. It feels like we are letting Hayley down when none of our member are there, although sometimes I wonder if she plays a little game with us of how late notice she can give us and we still get somebody there.
This time the first we heard was when she tweeted as she was leaving home for the RAH.
Martin D
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Post by grant on Sept 13, 2010 18:35:00 GMT
Hi Martin This time the first we heard was when she tweeted as she was leaving home for the RAH. Some of us knew on Saturday night! Best wishes Grant
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Post by John H on Sept 13, 2010 18:44:08 GMT
I have taken part in the Big Sing since 2003 with a group from our church choir, except that I have missed the past two years. So I would have been there anyway. I could hardly believe it when Aled mentioned her in one of his practice shots. Then she appeared.
In the rehearsal, when the conductor was telling the choir to look happy and joyful, I was thinking to myself - How can I not be joyful? Hayley's here.
She told me afterwards that she had only known about it for two days. Obviously she told the people at Salisbury on Saturday but it was too late to get tickets then anyway.
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Jillian
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Post by Jillian on Nov 22, 2010 13:41:34 GMT
Hi everyone, I just saw this and wasn't sure if it had been posted yet. Cheers, Jillian
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Jillian
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Post by Jillian on Nov 25, 2010 23:38:10 GMT
Here's a slightly bigger version of that picture: Cheers, Jillian
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Post by Libby on Nov 27, 2010 7:16:53 GMT
Thanks for sharing this. I like Hayley's hair! But it's extremely rare when I don't. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifI'm guessing that's one of the dresses she'll wear for the upcoming Christmas concerts, too.
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Post by John H on Nov 27, 2010 9:19:12 GMT
Here is Hayley after the recording. Just ignore the fellow who was so ridiculously happy to be standing next to Hayley. Thanks to Dawn for the photo.
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Jillian
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Post by Jillian on Nov 27, 2010 10:43:02 GMT
Hi Johnh, Thanks for posting that excellent photo of you and Hayley! I don't blame you for being ridiculously happy to be standing next to Hayley - I'm sure that if we swapped places I would probably have fainted from over-excitment! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif Can't wait to see the Big Sing when it finally airs on TV! Cheers, Jillian
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Post by martindn on Nov 27, 2010 16:33:20 GMT
Hayley affects us all like that. Just look at my avatar!
And Sue says I am grinning like an idiot in that photo
Martin D
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Post by Libby on Nov 28, 2010 0:31:50 GMT
John, being ridiculously happy is something I'd love to do sometime in the near future. I would probably act really shy, and she'll think I'm about 10 years younger than she is, although I really am 2 1/2 years older! Won't she be surprised.
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Post by roger on Dec 7, 2010 15:15:38 GMT
The Big Sing is to be broadcast on Boxing Day at 5.15pm (until 6pm) on BBC1. Information from the Christmas issue of TV Times - out now! Other listings magazines are available!
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Post by John H on Dec 26, 2010 8:30:03 GMT
UK members, don't forget to tune in at 17:15 today. More information here www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x0zhvCan somebody record it to share Hayley's songs and interview with those who don't have access to BBC? John
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Dec 26, 2010 15:48:58 GMT
UK members, don't forget to tune in at 17:15 today. More information here www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x0zhvCan somebody record it to share Hayley's songs and interview with those who don't have access to BBC? John Yes of course, but I am slightly disappointed that it's Silent Night as we have many TV recordings of Hayley singing it. Also, O Holy Night is "the big one" in terms of popularity, but Russell Watson has that one. Dave
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