Post by grant on Sept 27, 2009 1:46:50 GMT
Hello everyone
Here's Part II
The most special of moments
The accompanist and his assistant (whom Ben knew folks!) took their places first and began playing. The choir then filed in with military precision and broke stage left and stage right, taking their places by filling alternate rows from each side. It worked well and looked good.
Now I have never been a huge fan of male voice choirs and it did take a couple of numbers for me to warm to them, but warm I did – they were brilliant! They sang an eclectic mix of hymns, show tunes and classics. Everything from “Nessun Dorma”, “The American Trilogy” and yes, my particular favourite “This Old Man”. It was very well balanced with Hayley’s two solo sets sitting within those from the choir and the audience loved every minute
The MC for the evening was Michael Collie from BBC Midlands Today and he held everything together with a mix of fact and humour, but now it was time for the moment that the three of us sat on the front row had been waiting for. Hayley! After a glowing introduction she came on stage accompanied by Tim and Stephanie – even got a grin of acknowledgement from Tim.
Hayley went straight into her first song “Prayer” now I think I said last time that I’m running out of things to say about Hayley’s performance but simply put, she just gets better and better and better! She was awesome and everyone around me felt it too. I looked at Ben a couple of times and he was conducting with his eyes closed, just ‘feeling’ Hayley’s performance. “You can watch as well” I said “Don’t worry, I’m well happy” said Ben.
Following the first song is where Hayley does her “hello’s” and tonight is no exception, well, to begin with it wasn’t! “Hello! How is everyone” There is the usual general mumble from the audience and a rather loud “Fine thank you!” from me. Hayley looked down at me and smiled that smile, her eyes widening. “Hello Grant” she said. I couldn’t believe my ears (well, I have had ‘em for 61 years!). “Is it really 50 concerts? I confirmed with a nod. Hayley repeated the fact to the bewildered audience. With her arm outstretched towards me she announced “One of my biggest supporters” indicating I should stand up and take a bow, which I did, rather nervously whilst the audience gave me a round of applause.
For a few seconds the spotlight was on me not Hayley. Turning back to Hayley I told her that I’d loved every one and quietly added “Thank you Hayley”. I know there are many more of Hayley’s supporters that deserve such an accolade, but to hear it from Hayley herself made it very special indeed and a few seconds of my life that I will never forget.
Towards the end of her first set, Hayley sang “Shenandoah” and, much to my delight, resurrected her 100 verses/the doors are locked” gag. This time though, she added “One day we will do all 100 verses”. Feeling my confidence boosted from our earlier repartee, I added “We’ll hold you to that” “Uh-Oh!” from Hayley with a giggle.
I see Ben has already given details of who sang what so not much point repeating it here. I will say though that I was very happy to hear Hayley sing “Talk To Me” again. I still love “Sonny” but “Talk To Me” is still so fresh and new and I love it. Ben, I thought Michael Collie’s history lesson on the name ‘Westenra’ came in the second half, although the time isn’t important. He did get his facts straight though and added a little anecdote about checking the pronunciation with the BBC who thought Hayley would say it “Wistenra” to which Michael said “Well, if Hayley says it like that, shouldn’t we?” “No!” said the BBC, because we’re English. This whole scenario gave Hayley quite a giggle and it went down very well.
The concert ended with a beautiful arrangement of “Hine” with Hayley and the choir which was very moving.
Best wishes
Grant
Here's Part II
The most special of moments
The accompanist and his assistant (whom Ben knew folks!) took their places first and began playing. The choir then filed in with military precision and broke stage left and stage right, taking their places by filling alternate rows from each side. It worked well and looked good.
Now I have never been a huge fan of male voice choirs and it did take a couple of numbers for me to warm to them, but warm I did – they were brilliant! They sang an eclectic mix of hymns, show tunes and classics. Everything from “Nessun Dorma”, “The American Trilogy” and yes, my particular favourite “This Old Man”. It was very well balanced with Hayley’s two solo sets sitting within those from the choir and the audience loved every minute
The MC for the evening was Michael Collie from BBC Midlands Today and he held everything together with a mix of fact and humour, but now it was time for the moment that the three of us sat on the front row had been waiting for. Hayley! After a glowing introduction she came on stage accompanied by Tim and Stephanie – even got a grin of acknowledgement from Tim.
Hayley went straight into her first song “Prayer” now I think I said last time that I’m running out of things to say about Hayley’s performance but simply put, she just gets better and better and better! She was awesome and everyone around me felt it too. I looked at Ben a couple of times and he was conducting with his eyes closed, just ‘feeling’ Hayley’s performance. “You can watch as well” I said “Don’t worry, I’m well happy” said Ben.
Following the first song is where Hayley does her “hello’s” and tonight is no exception, well, to begin with it wasn’t! “Hello! How is everyone” There is the usual general mumble from the audience and a rather loud “Fine thank you!” from me. Hayley looked down at me and smiled that smile, her eyes widening. “Hello Grant” she said. I couldn’t believe my ears (well, I have had ‘em for 61 years!). “Is it really 50 concerts? I confirmed with a nod. Hayley repeated the fact to the bewildered audience. With her arm outstretched towards me she announced “One of my biggest supporters” indicating I should stand up and take a bow, which I did, rather nervously whilst the audience gave me a round of applause.
For a few seconds the spotlight was on me not Hayley. Turning back to Hayley I told her that I’d loved every one and quietly added “Thank you Hayley”. I know there are many more of Hayley’s supporters that deserve such an accolade, but to hear it from Hayley herself made it very special indeed and a few seconds of my life that I will never forget.
Towards the end of her first set, Hayley sang “Shenandoah” and, much to my delight, resurrected her 100 verses/the doors are locked” gag. This time though, she added “One day we will do all 100 verses”. Feeling my confidence boosted from our earlier repartee, I added “We’ll hold you to that” “Uh-Oh!” from Hayley with a giggle.
I see Ben has already given details of who sang what so not much point repeating it here. I will say though that I was very happy to hear Hayley sing “Talk To Me” again. I still love “Sonny” but “Talk To Me” is still so fresh and new and I love it. Ben, I thought Michael Collie’s history lesson on the name ‘Westenra’ came in the second half, although the time isn’t important. He did get his facts straight though and added a little anecdote about checking the pronunciation with the BBC who thought Hayley would say it “Wistenra” to which Michael said “Well, if Hayley says it like that, shouldn’t we?” “No!” said the BBC, because we’re English. This whole scenario gave Hayley quite a giggle and it went down very well.
The concert ended with a beautiful arrangement of “Hine” with Hayley and the choir which was very moving.
Best wishes
Grant
