Dudley Concert Hall - 26th September 2009

[Jillian]

Hi Grant,

Just seeing the way your eyes are lit up with excitement in those photos made me smile and feel happy! If I'm getting that just from the reflected glow of two photos on a computer screen, I can only imagine what a special moment that must have been for you!

Cheers,
Jillian

[drew]

Sept 29, 2009 22:49:30 GMT grant said:

Look out Mouse, it is the Chesire cat.

No, don't panic, it is the Derbyshire cat!

[Martin]

"Encounters of the Third Hayley Kind"

Martin

[Joe]

Hello Grant!

Well done, my friend. A much-deserved accolade for such a long-standing supporter of our Hayley. It crossed my mind that the audience represents the thousands of the forum members and guests whom you've shared those 50 memorable concerts with.

Bless you,
Joe

[sharon]

Hi Grant,

Great pictures, I was already wondering if there were any pic's of your 'moment'.

A memorable moment which should be treasured forever!

Best wishes from NL, Sharon

[martindn]

Hi Grant,

Wow, what a moment! Is that reflected light on your face or was it really that colour? If so, that's one heck of a blush....

Great photos that I'm sure you will treasure forever!

Martin

[Nordly]

Hi everyone,

It sounds like an amazing concert! Congratulations Grant on 50 concerts, and Ben on the first of many.

One thing I noticed about this concert that was different than others was how lovely the programme was! It was fabulous, even including Hayley's own handwriting!

~Nordly

[Richard]

From Dudley News:

Hayley’s triumph

4:40pm Wednesday 30th September 2009

By Rachel Hickman


Hayley Westenra performs her stunning set.
Picture: Ralph Mason Photography

DUDLEY Concert Hall was alive with the sound of music as internationally renowned singer Hayley Westenra took to the stage.

The 22-year-old New Zealand singing sensation joined forces with the Gentlemen Songsters Male Voice Choir at their annual autumn concert.

Compered by Midlands Today presenter Michael Collie, the Gentlemen Songsters performed a varied repertoire, which included a Cole Porter medley, an amusing version of children’s nursery rhyme This Old Man, to When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.

However, the star of the show was Hayley, who accompanied by fellow Kiwi pianist and musical director Tim Evans and Scottish violinist Stephanie Benedetti, from the string quartet Raven, performed two haunting 25-minute solo slots in the two-hour show.

The young singer, who performs classical, pop, Celtic and folk songs and is the best-selling classical artist of the 21st century, dazzled as she sang her spine-tingling set which included Prayer – a Celtic piece about Hansel and Gretel – Scarborough Fair and Danny Boy.

Before leaving the audience in awe, as she performed Fleetwood Mac’s Songbird and Joni Mitchell’s classic Both Sides Now.

But one of the highlights of the evening was when she joined forces with the Gentlemen Songsters to perform a traditional Maori lullaby, which was truly beautiful.

And the star, who has performed around the world and in some of the most impressive venues – including Syndey Opera House and The Royal Albert Hall – praised the Dudley venue.

She said: “This is such a beautiful, beautiful hall. It was a pleasure to hear its sound quality and beauty during the sound check.

“You are really lucky to have a hall like this. It is a privilege to perform here.”

Edit: Click on the link at the top to see some more photographs from Dudley News.

Richard

[grant]

Hi Martin

Sept 30, 2009 20:37:30 GMT martindn said:

Hi Grant,

Wow, what a moment! Is that reflected light on your face or was it really that colour? If so, that's one heck of a blush....

Don't think so! The white is probably more likely!

Best wishes
Grant

[Sing]

Thank you so much for the photos.. .it looks as though you had a great time, well, you saw Hayley so it must have been!! I wish I could have gone, but it was a bit too far for me I was hoping to go to one of her winter concerts but at the moment i think i'll be lucky to go to one in the next two years with all the work i've got for my A-levels!

Congratulations Ben on your first Hayley concert
and Grant Congratulations on your 50th!!! Wow!!!

best wishes
//Sing i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[stevemacdonald]

By Rachel Hickman

The 22-year-old New Zealand singing sensation...

Clearly, the advance publicity for this concert has led to this unfortunate usage here. I just can't separate the term "singing sensation" from the over-hyped Susan Boyles of the world.

Other than that, a wonderful review! It fully reinforces the growing notion that Hayley is the premier classical crossover singer of her generation.

[BenCMitchell]

Sept 30, 2009 0:17:07 GMT Jillian said:

Hi Grant,

Just seeing the way your eyes are lit up with excitement in those photos made me smile and feel happy! If I'm getting that just from the reflected glow of two photos on a computer screen, I can only imagine what a special moment that must have been for you!

Cheers,
Jillian

Haha Grant was buzzing when he sat down!! He couldn't believe that had just happened!

[grant]

Hi Sing and everyone

It certainly was a very memorable evening for me particularly, but also for our little group of three as a whole. In many respects, Ben's 1st was just as important as my 50th to the Songsters and the audience in general - can't get to fifty without the first one! Karsten was almost certainly the furthest travelled having flown from Germany especially for the concert. Made our little group quite famous on the night!

Best wishes
Grant

[Caitlin]

Yay for Karsten for capturing the moment! I was wondering if there were any pics. Grant you look shocked, amazed and so completely happy!

<3 Caite

[graemek]

Hi Grant,
Any chance of a larger pic of this one:
i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/Grantawwright/img011forum.jpg
Doesn't have to be displayed. Its just that with that big Hayley smile & eyes in the background it's rather a unique poster & needs to be more readable textwise.

Would be eternally grateful!!
Graeme