The 'Only Men Aloud!' Competition

To mark the release on the 24th November of the debut album from 'Only Men Aloud!' - the winners of the BBC show Last Choir Standing.

 THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

ONLY MEN ALOUD!
DEBUT ALBUM RELEASED 24TH NOVEMBER

Following their triumph in the hit BBC television show Last Choir Standing, Only Men Aloud! released their eponymous debut album for Universal Music, on 24th November.

Naturally it features the songs that won millions of hearts and took them to victory in the televised contest, whose final was watched by six million viewers – favourites like Don’t Rain On My Parade, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Angels, and their trophy-clinching version of All By Myself.

The boys also breathe fresh life into evergreen pop classics like The Beach Boys’ God Only Knows and Seal’s Kiss From A Rose; pay tribute to their roots in the Welsh hymn Cwm Rhondda, and show their classical roots on Albinoni’s Adagio.

Together, they show the passion that Only Men Aloud! bring to the centuries-old tradition of male voice choirs. Says Choir Master and Musical Director Tim Rhys-Evans: “I believe the human voice is the only natural instrument, and it is capable of a greater variety of sounds, textures, and colours, than any man-made instrument.

“When you put a group of them together the possibilities are endless. And being part of that is something that can really enhance your life.” Indeed, studies have proven that singing in a choir improves physical and emotional health, and can alleviate depression and stress. Or, as Tim puts it in simple layman’s terms: “It’s like a happy pill.”

Within days of their victory on 30 August, Only Men Aloud! signed a multimillion pound, five-album deal with Universal Music, home of Girls Aloud, U2, The Rolling Stones and Elton John – as well as classical and crossover stars like Lesley Garrett, Bryn Terfel, Katherine Jenkins and Hayley Westenra.

True to their roots, they insisted on a bilingual document - in English and Welsh – with the contract being signed at a rainy Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, while they sang the never-more-appropriate Don’t Rain On My Parade.

Days later, they went into the studio with a full orchestra, under the guidance of Tim Rhys-Evans, to record their debut album for Universal. They have also been invited to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in December.

Now, with the release of their debut album, Only Men Aloud! are set to dominate the classical and pop charts. They have already sparked a huge increase in choir membership, fielding literally hundreds of emails from wannabe choristers inspired by their success.

“I never thought I would dabble in a reality TV show,” admits Tim, “but it has taken what we do way beyond Wales, and our supporters there. People seem to love what we do and that recognition for one’s hard work is a very nice reward.”

Links to more information, videos and images below:

www.onlymenaloud.com

Facebook Group

MySpace Page

Images on Flickr

YouTube Video

BBC web page for Only Men Aloud!

 THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

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