Only Boys Aloud Choir with Voice WorX Academy - Broederkerk Zeist

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The choir will be performing a wide variety of both a cappella and accompanied music. The programme will include traditional Welsh hymns, as well as folk songs from around the British Isles, such as “Loch Lomond” from Scotland, “The Fields of Athenry” from Ireland, and “Scarborough Fair” from England.

They will also be singing a brand new piece by Welsh composer Paul Mealor, Let Your Soul Stand, alongside works including The River by Susan LaBarr and The Sun Never Says by Dan Forrest. In addition, the programme will feature music by Stephen Sondheim, with selections from musicals such as Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, and Follies, among others.

Only Boys Aloud Choir

Only Boys Aloud was formed in 2010 in order to keep the tradition of male choral singing alive in Wales, UK. Male Voice Choirs are a notable tradition in Wales which began in the 18th and 19th centuries in Welsh chapels and developed with the growth of the coal and iron industries when the workers formed choirs in order to find a sense of community. Only Boys Aloud exists not only to keep the tradition of male voice choral singing alive but to also give young men in south Wales the skills and ambition to succeed in life and to increase their sense of community.

Run by The Aloud Charity, there are currently 5 Only Boys Aloud (OBA) choirs in communities across south east Wales for boys aged 11 - 19. OBA is completely free, non-auditioned and non-judgemental. Our ethos is inclusivity; we are open to all, regardless of background.

Boys sing a varied repertoire from modern pop classics and musical theatre songs to traditional Welsh choral music. Led by professional choral leaders, members receive high-quality musical experiences, performance training and opportunities to perform in prestigious events. Some of the highlights since 2010 have included achieving third place on Britain’s Got Talent in 2012, recording 4 albums, performing in prestigious venues across the UK including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, Windsor Castle and several tours abroad in Europe and Japan.

The Only Boys Aloud Academi was established in 2011 to offer more expert and individual tuition to members of Only Boys Aloud (OBA) who have shown the greatest commitment and musical potential. Aimed at senior OBA members, the week-long, intensive residential course provides advanced training in all aspects of general musicianship, singing and performance. The group perform a variety of repertoire from classical to traditional Welsh choral music to musical theatre and often in multiple languages. This year’s Academi repertoire will consist of pieces by Welsh composer Paul Mealor, Stephen Sondheim and American composer Dan Forrest.

Craig Yates – Creative Director, Only Boys Aloud

Craig was born and brought up in Birmingham and moved to Wales to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama where he achieved a BA (Hons) in music and a Post Graduate Diploma in singing with distinction. He continued his training at the world-renowned Mariinsky Academy for Young Singers in St. Petersburg, Russia

He is a long-standing member of the Welsh vocal group, Only Men Aloud, with whom he has had great success over the past few years. This has included winning BBC’s Last Choir Standing in 2008, winning a Classical Brit Award for best Album, singing at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and undertaking numerous tours around the World.

He works as a singer and vocal animateur for many organisations including Welsh National Opera, Wales Millennium Centre and National Youth Arts Wales.

In addition to his singing, Craig has played a significant role in finding the next generation of young singers. Craig helped to create Only Boys Aloud back in 2012, became a choir leader for the group and now leads The Aloud Charity artistically as their Creative Director. Under his guidance, the charity expanded its reach, working with boys, girls, and children right across Wales. Craig also teaches singing and takes vocal workshops right across the UK.