This International Women’s Day we’re celebrating our fabulous Only Girls Aloud choir participants and all that they have achieved during the first year of the programme!
Established in 2022, Only Girls Aloud consists of 96 young women of secondary school age from across South Wales. The group meet monthly to learn a range of repertoire which has included ‘I am Light’ by India Arie Simpson, ‘It Means Beautiful’ from the hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and an arrangement of ‘Just Breathe’ written by Founder Tim Rhys-Evans and Ambassador Amy Wadge as part of the A Song for Wales project.
The group welcomes inspiring guest speakers to talk about their life-experiences, career paths, and to share their own stories. This has resulted in an engaged and aspirational group who support each other to develop their confidence and self-expression. Previous guest speakers have included Chloe Smith founder of Bigmoose Coffee Co, Welsh singer and actress Sophie Evans, Captain Natalie Willcox a BA Pilot, and Photographer Rebecca Toner.
Our upcoming rehearsal on 11th March 2023 will see the girls be visited by one of Wales’ leading artists Mari Thomas.
In the past year, Only Girls Aloud have:
- Recorded tracks for the 2022 Aloud Album Gen Z
- Featured on Aloud’s S4C Documentary Aloud Dathlu 10
- Performed in the Cardiff Anniversary Concert at St David’s Hall
- Performed at Brecon Cathedral for our Christmas broadcast
- Performed for guests at the bi-annual Fundraising Dinner at RWCMD.
“Being a part of one of Wales’ number 1 girls’ choirs enables me to reach my potential in the future. It gives me a base to work from. It allows me to pass on my knowledge and experiences to those girls just starting out in Only Girls Aloud. This then helps me to transfer skills that I will need to succeed in my chosen career” Only Girls Aloud choir
“Having my daughter be a part of Only Girls Aloud gives me a sense of pride and knowledge that she is accepted by everyone within the group and that she is able to express herself in a safe, happy and nurturing environment.” Parent Feedback
“My daughter joined OGA in autumn 2021 when we had just moved back to Wales after six years living in Washington DC. How we missed the world-renowned Welsh choral tradition there! My daughter feels privileged to be back in the fold making beautiful music, widening friendship groups and above all, having fun. And as a Mam listening in, I can’t help but feel immensely proud that she is now immersed in such a wonderful organisation with such high musical standards. Brings tears to my eyes! Diolch.” Parent Feedback
Our Only Girls Aloud choir is meeting monthly. If you would like to find out more and how to get involved contact: [email protected]
We would like to thank Arts Council of Wales: Create, Scops Arts Trust and Tŷ Cerdd once again for their support of Only Girls Aloud.
