Previously reported on BlakeOfficial.com

Some of the UK’s most popular classical music stars have gathered in London to record a charity song for the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Musicians including Julian Lloyd Webber, Aled Jones and Britain’s Got Talent stars Paul Potts and Faryl Smith went into a recording studio together.

A total of 23 artists have contributed to the song The Prayer, made famous by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.

Intended to help the Haiti aid effort, it will be released on 14 March.

The recording session took place at Metropolis Studios, west London, on Saturday.

The line-up included “popera” acts All Angels, Bond, Camilla Kerslake, Rhydian and The Priests, as well as ITV’s Pop Star To Opera Star winner Darius Campbell and Classical Brit winners Blake

Blake singer Humphrey Berney said: “It’s the first time that a number of classical artists have come together, and it’s for an immensely important cause.

“It’s pretty exceptional circumstances to go into the studio with other artists who have collectively sold millions of albums. You’d think it would be a very high pressured environment but there’s an extremely relaxed and very friendly atmosphere.”

Each vocalist performed different lines before coming together for a group finale.

“I know when people listen to it and remember why we’re singing it, it will be a very moving and powerful piece of music,” Berney said.

Dame Evelyn Glennie, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and tenor Gardar Thor Cortes recorded their parts in advance.

The project was masterminded by manager Nadia Raibin, who said it came together in “two frantic weeks”.

‘Haunting’ track

“I’ve pulled favours left, right and centre, I’ve begged and borrowed everything and everyone I could think of,” she said. “The artists have flown in from here, there and everywhere, all at their own expense.

“Every single person that I have spoken to just said yes straight away. So everybody involved has given their time and enjoyed the day.”

She described the song, written by David Foster, as an “iconic, haunting” piece of music.

“It sounds so beautiful and the general public just need to back it so that we can raise the money that is so needed.”

It would be “lovely” to stage a live performance, she added. “You never know, maybe the Classical Brits will invite us to do it.”

Meanwhile, a Haiti fundraising gig featuring rock acts such as Paul Weller, Seasick Steve and KT Tunstall at the London Roundhouse on Thursday raised £85,000, organisers have announced

Previously reported on BBC.co.uk on 27th February 2010

Previously reported on BlakeOfficial.com

They are Britain’s finest ‘classical crossover’ music stars, gathered together for the first time under one roof. Now they have recorded a single to raise money for those devastated by the earthquake in Haiti. The result is a hauntingly beautiful cover version of David Foster’s The Prayer – the first classical charity single.

The 23 artists who donated their services included Aled Jones, boy band Blake, Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts and X Factor runner-up Rhydian Roberts. Also present were female operatic ensembles All Angels and Opera Babes, newcomer Camilla Kerslake, soprano Natasha Marsh and teenage prodigy Faryl Smith. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra provided the music.

The atmosphere at the Metropolis Studios in West London was one of organised chaos, the floor of the artists’ waiting room strewn with laptops, song sheets and stray shoes.

In one corner Faryl Smith listened to the piano on her iPhone, matching its notes with her pitch-perfect voice.

In another, Paul Potts and pop star turned West End singer Darius Campbell posed for a picture, while the trio of Irish clergymen The Priests captured the moment excitedly with their iPhones.

For all the camaraderie, their staggering collective talent became clear when they started to sing The Prayer, originally performed in 1999 by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.

‘We all know each other as the classical circuit is small and it’s been great to catch up with everyone,’ said Natasha Marsh. ‘There was a genuine warmth and integrity between us, it was an honour to be a part of it.’

Eugene O’Hagan from The Priests said they woke up at 6am to catch their flight from Belfast for this weekend’s studio session.

Previously reported on DailyMail.co.uk by Antonia Hoyle on 27th February 2010

Previously reported on BlakeOfficial.com

Classical music stars including PAUL POTTS, FARYL SMITH, BOND and BLAKE have teamed up to record a charity single to support aid efforts in Haiti.

A total of 23 artists, also including The Priests, All Angels and Camilla Kerslake, attended a recording session in London on Saturday (27Feb10) to add their vocals to a new version of The Prayer, originally a duet for Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli.

Proceeds from the single, which is released on 14 March (10) will be handed to the Disasters Emergency Committee to help fund rescue work in Haiti, which was hit by a massive earthquake in January (10).

Blake singer Humphrey Berney, says, “It’s the first time that a number of classical artists have come together, and it’s for an immensely important cause. It’s pretty exceptional circumstances to go into the studio with other artists who have collectively sold millions of albums. You’d think it would be a very high pressured environment but there’s an extremely relaxed and very friendly atmosphere.”

News of the charity single comes after a Haiti fundraising gig in London on Thursday (25Feb10), featuring Paul Weller, Seasick Steve and KT Tunstall, raised £85,000.

Previously reported on Express.co.uk Sunday February 28,2010

Previously reported on BlakeOfficial.com

Classical boyband Blake today announce that their latest album, Together, has been nominated for Album Of The Year at the 2010 Classical BRIT Awards to be held in May. The group last won Album Of The Year at the Classical BRITS for their debut album, Blake, in 2008. It is up to you the fans if they win it again in 2010!

To vote, click here (http://www.classicalbrits.co.uk/voting)
Register your vote for ‘BLAKE’ and feel the warmth of our eternal gratitude!

Click here to join our Facebook Brits campaign group to help bring others onboard too:
(http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=339634686250)

Blake’s Jules Knight – “We’re over the moon that we have been nominated for a Classical BRIT Award. As the underdogs in this competition we’re hoping everyone will get behind us. Together is our first independent album, made entirely without a major label, so this is a very special honour for us.”

Stephen Bowman concurs – “We were amazed and utterly humbled to hear that we’d been nominated. So many people told us that independent artists never get put up for this award; we gave up hope! We feel like the small shop owners up against the corporate supermarkets; but it’s up to the public vote, so fingers crossed!’

Previously reported on BlakeOfficial.com

BLAKE will be performing on SATURDAY APRIL 17TH at Manchester Central to inspire 7,500 participants who are taking part on behalf of SHINE / CANCER RESEARCH UK’s in a night time walking marathon to raise vital funds for research and bring hope and light into the lives of those affected by cancer.

For more information on this wonderful event and organization click here

Previously Reported on BlakeOfficial.com

Join BLAKE on the last of their UK tv appearances for 2009, live on the Sky Sunrise show with popular host Eamonn Holmes. During a long interview Eamonn talks about the groups steady rise to fame around the world, Twitter, changing singers and the fun of touring. With more interviews and TV performances set for early 2010, keep checking here for the latest updates. Have a happy holiday and new year!