UK Wales Debra Williams blog Only Boys Aloud - The Welsh choir's BGT 2012 audition -...

Gepubliceerd op 24 mrt. 2012

Watch Welsh choir Only Boys Aloud's awesome Britain's Got Talent audition in full!

All 133 members of Only Boys Aloud sang their hearts out to impress Britain's Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.

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Debra Williams blog: Moved to tears by Only Boys Aloud

IT is a humid Sunday evening and I am heading to Atlantic College with my friend Claire to see Only Boys Aloud in a private concert. We thought they were the younger version of the Only Men Aloud choir that performed on Britain's Got Talent. How wrong were we; they were so much more than that.

Formed in 2010 to encourage 14-19 year old young men in South Wales to make positive changes to their lives through music, they have enjoyed commercial success with a number one record in the classical charts, Calon Lan, a recording deal with Sony, appearances on X Factor final, This Morning and Songs of Praise.

But their true focus is committed to inspiring young men.

One of our proudest Welsh exports is our music and our male voice choirs have the ability to move me to tears. Only Boys Aloud teaches the discipline, the work ethic and social skills needed to be part of a team. What I didn't realise is that there are in fact 14 choirs around Wales, each led by a 'captain' from Only Men Aloud who give up their time to educate and mentor these young men.

There are three choirs in our area: in Neath, Swansea and Bridgend. There are no restrictions or auditions, making everyone welcome regardless of ability and background. This open access policy and a rolling recruitment programme.

Each year, the Principality Building Society supports an academy aimed at the older members, where 32 places are available on a residential course. Selection is tough and made through auditions and presented to those who show particular musical promise.

These fortunate individuals receive intense training in general musicianship, singing and performance.

The confidence and enthusiasm is obvious to see. Many of these boys come from challenging backgrounds and some have battled through hardships yet they have the dogged determination and strength to improve themselves and invest in their futures. Employers should take note of any application received from these young men.

They will have proven themselves reliable, hard working, confident and tenacious. All skills an employ would be looking for in a young person.

Many thanks to Tim Rhys-Evans, the musical director, his team of tutors and teachers and a huge thank you to the young men who entertained us with their vocal talents.

Tim tells me that the choirs relish having business people take an interest in them and are welcome to visit them at their rehearsals. Local employers can also get to know some of these impressive young men and assess their suitability for future employment.

The choir is always looking for opportunities to support local business and show off their considerable talents.

To find out when the choirs are performing next, where their rehearsals are or how you can help support The Aloud Charity, log onto www.onlyboysaloud.com.

Read more: 

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Debra-Williams-blog-Moved-tears-Boys-Aloud/story-27457882-detail/story.html#ixzz3gqzPVZqa 

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Queen Elizabeth II backs gay Britain for the first time

In a landmark statement, the reigning monarch of the UK and the Commonwealth has announced her support for a gay charity

07 MARCH 2014 | BY JOE MORGAN

Queen Elizabeth II has praised a gay charity, in what is believed to be her first ever comment about the LGBTI community.

In her 62-year reign of the UK and the Commonwealth, she has never once visited or become a patron of a charity for gay rights.

And even in reforming laws for the community, such as when homosexuality was decriminalized or same-sex marriage in England and Wales passed into law, the words ‘gay’, ‘lesbian’, ‘bisexual’, and ‘transgender’ have never been reported as crossing the lips of the reigning monarch.

But in a first, the Queen has praised the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard on its 40th birthday.

She said: ‘Best wishes and congratulations to all concerned on this most special anniversary.’

The switchboard, which supports LGBTs by providing a non-judgmental ear on the phone, was celebrated at a gala evening attended by a plethora of celebrities, politicians and supporters.

Several political leaders praised the charity.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: ‘Over the 40 years since it was established, the London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard has made a real difference day in and day out to the lives of LGB&T people.

‘I would like to pay tribute to the volunteers and staff of the switchboard for their dedication to providing help and support to the LGB&T community and I wish you every success in the future.’

Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, described the switchboard as the ‘first port of call for many thousands of people’.

‘[It is a] testament to the dedication of a small army of unpaid, unseen, passionate volunteers that have worked selflessly over many years,’ he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said even though the UK has made huge leaps forward for equality, there is a still huge amount of work to be done.’

He said: ‘Every year, the Switchboard answers thousands of calls from people who still feel isolated by their sexuality.

‘They can be struggling to come out to their family and friends, suffering from homophobic bullying at school or discrimination at work, or simply looking for someone neutral to talk to about their life.

‘Whatever the issue, big or small, they know Switchboard is there for them.’

And Labour leader Ed Milliband added: ‘I would like to congratulate the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard on reaching their 40th anniversary.

‘Whether it be listening to someone’s difficulties in coming to terms with their sexuality, or letting people know what help is available in difficult situations, being there at the end of a phone is important.

‘LLGS is a remarkable organisation of volunteers, and I would like to pass on my thanks and best wishes to the team for the work they do supporting the LGBT community and their families.’

- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-backs-gay-britain-first-time070314#sthash.n48j7YJ1.dpuf

Bron : GayStarNews / write by Joe Morgan