Only Boys Aloud

Only Boys Aloud is a Wales-based boys' choir founded by choral director Tim Rhys-Evans. Only Boys Aloud finished third in the Britain's Got Talent competition in May 2012 and released their debut album in November 2012.

Only Boys Aloud
Background information
OriginWales
GenresChoral music
Occupation(s)Youth choir
Years active2010–present
LabelsRelentless UK
Associated actsOnly Men Aloud
Websitewww.aloud.cymru/boys/
MembersChoral members

History

Only Boys Aloud was founded in May 2010 by Tim Rhys-Evans.[1] Rhys-Evans, who founded Only Men Aloud in 2000, brought 144 boys onstage to sing with Only Men Aloud at the opening of the National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale in 2010. According to Rhys-Evans, he intended to use this one-time event to gauge the level of interest in a Welsh boys' choir. The event led to the formation of an organization, the Aloud Charity,[2] which funds Only Boys Aloud.[3] Rhys-Evans "'noticed choirs were getting older and older, which went hand in hand with a breakdown in the traditional sense of community in South Wales'", and he desired to "'inject some new blood into the Welsh tradition of choir singing'".[1] According to Rhys-Evans, he also wanted to help boys in economically depressed areas of Wales: "'Choral singing is a stronghold of the Valleys and I wanted to use it as a way of getting teenage boys doing something positive'".[4]

In December 2011, Only Boys Aloud joined forces with its father company, Only Men Aloud, to perform on the final night of Only Men Aloud's arena tour at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff and also featured on their Christmas CD. They have been the subject of two TV documentaries and appeared on BBC's Songs of Praise.[5] Only Boys Aloud have appeared at many events, including at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff with Dame Shirley Bassey and Catherine Zeta-Jones in the "Ryder Cup Welcome to Wales" concert.[6]

The choir gained publicity when they auditioned for the ITV talent show Britain's Got Talent. They performed "Calon Lân" in their audition,[7] which was aired on the first audition episode on 24 March 2012. With support of all judges, they progressed to the semi-finals. In the semi-final, they performed "Gwahoddiad". After a split decision of the judges, the public vote sent them to the finals.[7] In the final, on 12 May, they again performed "Calon Lân" and finished third in the competition.[1] According to Wales Online, Only Boys Aloud "won over the nation when they took third place on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent".[8]

In August 2012, it was announced that Only Boys Aloud had signed a record deal with Relentless Records–Sony Music. The news was announced at the opening concert of the National Eisteddfod in the Vale of Glamorgan.[8] The choir's self-titled debut album was released in November 2012.[8][9] "Calon Lân" went into the number one position on the iTunes classical singles chart and the choir developed a list of TV and radio credits, including This Morning, Songs of Praise, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: Christmas Special, All Star Christmas Presents, and Stepping Out with Katherine Jenkins.

In 2018, Only Boys Aloud released an album entitled A New Generation.[10]

As of September 2019, the Aloud Charity sponsored 14 choirs throughout Wales. Only Boys Aloud choirs do not require auditions and do not charge fees to members.[11]

References
  1. "Only Boys Aloud soar to third place Britain's Got Talent finish". walesonline. May 12, 2012.
  2. Barton, Cath (July 7, 2017). "The Making of Only Boys Aloud". Wales Arts Review.
  3. Dominy, Rachel (February 12, 2015). "Happy birthday, Only Boys Aloud - you're all grown up now". walesonline.
  4. Thompson, Melissa (December 4, 2012). "'I was bullied at school but now my choir's on X Factor final': Only Boys Aloud maestro having last laugh". Mirror. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  5. "BBC One – Songs of Praise, Welsh Voices". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  6. Best, Jessica (30 September 2010). "Stellar line-up wows Millennium Stadium for Ryder Cup gala". South West Argus. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  7. "Only Boys Aloud make BGT final". May 7, 2012 – via www.bbc.com.
  8. Price, Karen (4 August 2012). "Only Boys Aloud sign major record deal - Showbiz - Life & Style". Walesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  9. Collar, Matt. "Only Boys Aloud - Only Boys Aloud : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  10. "Spend the evening with the London Opera Quartet in St Asaph". York Press. January 6, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  11. "Pioneering boys' choir given standing ovation after emotional performance". September 18, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
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