Young Chorister of the Year 2006

[lyndsey]

Hi all.

I was also at Chorister of the year on Saturday, with some friends from Nick Garrett's website. Didn't think we'd be able to get in, coz although my friend Mary (blonde lady in Mark's pictures, with Hayley) had applied for some tickets, the BBC didn't send us any. Luckily, while queueing up (after meeting Hayley) Steve came over to chat to Roger (I think) and said he had some spare tickets! So we managed to get in after all.

The evening was superb and All Angels are absolutely wonderful. Didn't manage to meet them unfortunately, but we managed to chat to Hayley, Steve and Howard Goodall for a while after the show. x

[postscript]

lyndsey said:

Hi all.

I was also at Chorister of the year on Saturday, with some friends from Nick Garrett's website. Didn't think we'd be able to get in, coz although my friend Mary (blonde lady in Mark's pictures, with Hayley) had applied for some tickets, the BBC didn't send us any. Luckily, while queueing up (after meeting Hayley) Steve came over to chat to Roger (I think) and said he had some spare tickets! So we managed to get in after all.

The evening was superb and All Angels are absolutely wonderful. Didn't manage to meet them unfortunately, but we managed to chat to Hayley, Steve and Howard Goodall for a while after the show. x

Hi Lyndsey. delighted Steve's spare tickets went to a good home. Welcome, although I'm prertty new myself--for that matter aren't we all?!

Peter S.

[postscript]

Well done girls. A superb performance at Chorister of the Year.

Exciting times now starting.

Good Luck. or theatrically, should I not say 'go break a leg?' but then wasn't it, oh whom, I forget, who nearly took that classic phrase literally when playing netball...?

Peter S.

[postscript]

Hi Roger,

Good to see you are back with the camera and your pictures hold up well with what we call 'our pros', Dave, Stuart, Steve... In fact I add the ellipses because there's Grant and then... everyone seems to be superb at these 'grabbed' pics on the spur of the moment. Something I can 't do. At least also being in focus!!!!

Anyway, both you and Steve have rendered a superb job for two reasons:

• In the close-ups you show the detail of the bodices of the girls' dresses wherein they show their individuality. One can really appreciate the subtle variation on a theme that gives them the co-ordination one expects of a group without dressing them as if they were a 'gang'.
  
• In the more long distant shots you show something I had not noticed before. The dresses are of different materials, Another subtle statement of individuality while maintaining conformity.
  

Peter S.

[drew]

drew said:

Now, to bring this back on track, please find attached the other new song from All Angels.

'Salve Regina'

www.osmosysoft.com/images/SalveWestminster.mp3

If you have not downloaded the album yet, this version is slightly more manageable than my previous post. (Thanks Dave.)

[Natasha]

Thanks for those lovely clips!! Why is it, that they make me want to hear the album even more? Ok, I think that could just win the "Most Stupid Question of 2006" award!!

[richnorri]

Hello everybody!

I listened to the broadcast on Radio 2 last night, but sadly the BBC only included one song from All Angels. It was 'Angels', and I can report that Charlotte, Daisy, Laura and Melanie gave an excellent performance.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[Dave]

Hello Richard and Tashi and everybody!

I have made two audio files of highlights from the BBC radio 2 broadcast yesterday, they are at 48kbps and should be playable and downloadable by everyone including dial-up connections. You can listen to the entire one hour show at the BBC for the next week and possibly longer, it is here

My edited highlights are as follows:

Short highlights are here (18m, 48 kbps, 6 MB) containing:

Shortened introduction
Interview and song by Emma Whiteley (age 15, female winner)
Short interview with Judge Hayley Westenra (5 minutes in)
Interview and song by William Dutton (age 11, male winner)
"Angels" by All Angels (10 minutes in)
Announcement of the result, short interviews and a duet by the winners.

Extended highlights are here (30m, 48 kbps, 10.5 MB) containing:

Full introduction
Interview and song by Emma Whiteley (age 15, female winner)
Interview and two songs by Lexie Stobie (age 16 - she's different! She was possibly the audience's favourite.
Interviews with the Judges including Hayley Westenra (12 minutes in)
Interview and two songs by William Dutton (age 11, male winner)
"Angels" by All Angels (22 minutes in)
Announcement of the result, short interviews and a duet by the winners.

I will post this message at HWI forum and AAI forum. Some of the performances - all done by youngsters under extreme pressure - were no less than amazing! All Angels were pretty good, too! If you missed it or cannot get the BBC replays, enjoy!

Cheers, Dave

[richnorri]

Thanks for the clips, Dave!

I've just posted a link in the 'All Angels' thread on Hayley's official forum, because there has been some interest there.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[daddytom]

Thanks so much Dave :applaud: take a bow yourself.

I see why you included Lexie Strobe's performances, she was fantatasic. I would liked to know what took her out of the winners circle. Not to say they didn't all deserve to win and I wouldn't have wanted the responibilty of making that decision.

There is no doubt Laura proved her place was deserved when she flew with the " " when her turn came.

Great stuff -- Tom

[Dave]

Hi Tom,

Why didn't Lexie win? Well I was hugely impressed by her, Roger and Steve on either side of me in the Abbey were, too. But I remember saying at the time that I couldn't get Emma's performance out of my mind and that I suspected the judges might be looking for something less "spectacular" (for want of a better word) than Lexie's and a bit more controlled and varied.

Well Emma's performance got better as it progressed and by the end of Oh Son of Mary (10 second excerpt), everyone had marvelled at her exquisite voice control and expressiveness - for a 15 year old or anyone. The more I listen to this song, the more I admire her performance.

So here is Emma's song in full at 128 kbps, recorded from digital radio. I think she has a great future in classical music before her, if she wants it.

Lexie is I think a different kind of singer - she is very good indeed and my feeling is that she may have a greater initial appeal to the public at large, in classical crossover and some kinds of pop music too. I loved the tone of her voice... but my vote would still go to Emma. 'Live' in the Abbey itself, with none of the compression used on digital radio broadcasts, you could hear her slowly and quite deliberately fading her voice at the end in a way that you might expect from a seasoned opera star; not a 15 year old. I turned to Steve as she finished and all I could say was "wow!".

This contest was thoroughly enjoyable with a very high standard and I shall certainly be going to see it next year. How could I not do, with Laura and now Emma winning in successive years... and Lexie as a bonus!

Thanks for posting the link in the other forum Richard, it's much appreciated!

Cheers, Dave

[Natasha]

Ok I must be completely dense, but is it Laura that is singing the lead in "Angels"?? Forgive me, but I think Math has dulled my brain!

[postscript]

dave said:

Hi Tom,

... everyone had marvelled at her exquisite voice control and expressiveness - for a 15 year old or anyone. The more I listen to this song, the more I admire her performance.

So here is Emma's song in full at 128 kbps, recorded from digital radio. I think she has a great future in classical music before her, if she wants it.

Lexie is I think a different kind of singer - she is very good indeed and my feeling is that she may have a greater initial appeal to the public at large, in classical crossover and some kinds of pop music too. I loved the tone of her voice... but my vote would still go to Emma. 'Live' in the Abbey itself, with none of the compression used on digital radio broadcasts, you could hear her slowly and quite deliberately fading her voice at the end in a way that you might expect from a seasoned opera star; not a 15 year old. I turned to Steve as she finished and all I could say was "wow!".

Cheers, Dave

I recollect your describing that at the time (or immediately after the announcement). It was you who drew my attenion to what I had missed.

I think there may be another point, which is perhaps controversial. Lexie's experience and achievements MAY have gone against her. She has a foothold already. Had there not been an Emma then she would have won. There IS an Emma, younger, just starting and with so much potential still to be opened up, this is the girl who needs the starting block such a competition gives. Lexie doesn't neerd that starting block.She's built her own. That is her achievement.

Peter S.

[meagan]

classicgrace said:

Ok I must be completely dense, but is it Laura that is singing the lead in "Angels"?? Forgive me, but I think Math has dulled my brain!

Yes, it is Laura singing the lead.

[Natasha]

Thanks a lot Meagan!!