Stoke-on-Trent - 18 October 2008

[thomas]

Hi all!

I've booked a ticket for this concert. Seat AA24! Front row again, woohoo! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
I couldn't resist to book for this one. It's a good concert to fill the gap between Broadlands in July and Leamington Spa / Swansea in November. And it's for charity as well.

Thomas

[thomas]

Hi!

I've booked a room in the Quality hotel. I know that Dazza didn't recommend it but it's so close to the venue that I couldn't resist. When using public transport I'm a bit limited with adequate hotel offers anyway.

Thomas

[timj]

HI ALL,

I've booked seat D10, arrive at Manchester Saturday morning, staying at the Crown Hotel in Longton, hope there's bus service to Victoria Hall..............TimJ

[thomas]

Hi Tim!

It will be great to see you again!
I'm sure Hayley will be pleased to see you.

Thomas

[dkeeno]

For those of you who havent been before, inm regards to public transport. The Victoria Hall is next door to Hanley (CityCentre) Bus Station, so generally you can get to it from any part of the city by bus. Tim, you should be alright, [providing you dont stay too long afterwards as the buses dont seem to run overly late, as like i said the bus station is literally opposite the hall. There are also regular buses there from the train station.

Danny

[grant]

Jul 15, 2008 19:00:02 GMT timj said:

HI ALL,

I've booked seat D10, arrive at Manchester Saturday morning, staying at the Crown Hotel in Longton, hope there's bus service to Victoria Hall..............TimJ

Hi Tim

Very pleased to hear that you managed to sort out your booking for this one.

Looking forward to meeting up with you again.

Best wishes
Grant

[dkeeno]

Piano: Al Gurr
Guitar: Andy Moore
Violin: TBC
The latest news on the line up for accompanying Hayley at this cocnert.

Danny

[dkeeno]

Confirmed musicains are now, Piano: Al Gurr, Guitar: Andy Moore and The Raven String Quartet.
Hope to see you all there!
Less than 2 months to go!

Danny

[grant]

Hi Danny and thanks for the info.

That will be a nice line up and will be my next concert after Lincoln this Sunday. After which, I will officially be 'looking forward' to the Stoke concert!

Best wishes
Grant

[thomas]

Hi!

Thank you, Danny, for this information. After all I've heard about the Raven String Quartet here on the forum I'm really looking forward to see them in Stoke.

Thomas

[gra7890]

Thanks for the info Danny,
Glad to hear it is the now normal the 'back up team'.
Only 8 weeks then i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Thanks,

Graham

[gra7890]

Jul 15, 2008 19:00:02 GMT timj said:

HI ALL,

I've booked seat D10, arrive at Manchester Saturday morning, staying at the Crown Hotel in Longton, hope there's bus service to Victoria Hall..............TimJ

Hi Tim,
I have just caught up with your post. Looking forward to meeting you. It promises to be quite an International gathering


Best Wishes,

Graham

[Stephany]

Hi Danny

You are again in the Sentinel ! A very interesting article I must say.

Trumpeting success of music idea
By Louise Psyllides - 1 September 2008
(C) The Sentinel, 2008.

When teenager Daniel Keen asked classical star Hayley Westenra to visit Stoke-on-Trent for a charity concert, he never expected her to say yes.

But the singer surprised him and the resulting event raised more than £10,000 for charity.

The experience inspired Daniel, now 20, of Alsager, to set up his own music promotions business with the dual aim of raising cash for charity and increasing the profile of Stoke-on-Trent.

Daniel, who plays the trumpet and conducts, has set up KW Promotions with fellow Leeds College of Music student Hannah Want.

He said: "I started off by organising the Hayley Westenra concert at the Victoria Hall last year. I did that as a sole trader but I found it wasn't possible to achieve what I wanted, so that led to forming the business."

The money raised was split between UNICEF, which Westenra supports, and COPA, a Christian charity which builds schools and houses in the Dominican Republic.

KW Promotions has organised another Hayley Westenra concert at the Victoria Hall on October 18, and a concert in Alsager next year will feature pianist Sophie Cashell, winner of BBC2's Classical Star competition, with profits going to National Children's Homes.

Daniel and Hannah are hoping to increase the profits they make personally as the business expands, but have pledged that a minimum of 50 per cent from each event will go to charity.

Daniel said: "I take a very small amount of the profits - generally only my expenses and, say, £50 on top of that.

"We're planning a couple of really big concerts over the next few years so hopefully as the money coming in increases we will be able to fund them ourselves - at the moment they're funded by sponsors.

"Once we're doing that we should be able to make some money. But I've said from the start that at least 50 per cent will go to charity.

"We've got a date reserved at the Victoria Hall next November but we're still confirming artists for that. We're also negotiating to stage a festival in Stoke-in-Trent next year where we'll be hoping to attract major international acts from pop, classical and Christian music.

"All the money will be given to local charities and local people will have priority booking.

"My key objective is not just to raise money but to attract artists to the city. With people like Hayley Westenra, they've got a big following who will see they're coming to Stoke, and even if they don't come it will register with them.

"I want to raise the profile of the city because we've got some beautiful venues."

Daniel and Hannah are also keen to expand into management.

Daniel said: "That would give us a pool of people for the concerts, but that requires more staff so we're probably talking a couple of years down the line."

Hannah, aged 20, who comes from Chelmsford, said setting up the company had been a steep learning curve.

She said: "It can be difficult when you're writing out contracts and things like that but I'm learning all the time.

"I'm really into my music and I think using it to help other people is really important."

Stephany

[dkeeno]

Thanks Stephany, good find! There were some slightly embarrasing pictures taken with it as well! For anyone thats interested Hayley is going to be interviewed by Signal Radio, the largest station in the area, later today with the interview being broadcast at a later date, once i know when it will be broadcast ill let you all know.

Danny

[dazza]

Hi Danny,

I am quite surprised that it is an interview with Signal Radio and not Radio Stoke, I am looking forward to it being broadcast.

Dazza