Even band smitten with Hayley fever!

May 19 2006 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE clock is ticking towards what is undoubtedly the biggest date in the calendar for Innovate Skelmanthorpe Band.

After recent years, when the band has hosted top-line Welsh singers such as Aled Jones and Katherine Jenkins, sharing a platform with another headline singer should be something that the band takes in its stride.

But there is excitement at the prospect of sharing the Huddersrfield Town Hall stage with New Zealand sensation Hayley Westenra on June 10.

No surprise that tickets are selling well, since Hayley is one of the most talked about young sopranos. Her stunning natural voice captivated millions when as a 15-year-old, she launched her debut album Pure.

That album sold millions and achieved a remarkable double - topping the UK classical charts and hitting the pop Top Ten .

And it changed the life of a teenager who was still a schoolgirl used to living at home in Christchurch with mum and dad Jill and Gerald Westenra, sister Sophie and brother Isaac.

Huddersfield audiences got a taste of the Hayley's remarkable talent when she appeared in the Town Hall just before Christmas alongside Huddersfield Methodist Choir.

Skelmanthorpe were already negotiating to bring her here when Hayley agreed to appear with the Methodists.

They had no fears about bringing her back so soon. Audiences were captivated by her bubbly personality as well as her voice.

Now based in London, Hayley seems to spend a lot of her time on tour, buzzing around Britain, Europe and the US plus Japan where she's got superstar status.

Doubtless she'll get a warm welcome back to Yorkshire next week, not just from the band but from a Town Hall audience used to hearing big name singers.

Those who should have seen José Carreras at the Galpharm Stadium on June 9 could do worse than shrug off the disappointment and buy a ticket to see instead this rising young singing star.

Tickets at £10-£18 are available from Kirklees Booking Offices.