Matthew was a member of OBA Wrexham, and one of the first North Wales boys.
We caught up with Matthew to hear about his experiences with The Aloud Charity.
Between what years were you a member?
I enjoyed OBA in April 2015, when it first launched in North Wales. I was 16 when I joined, making me the oldest member of the Wrexham group at the time. I left OBA in September 2016, when I moved away to university.
What was the best thing about being in OBA?
I have some of the best memories of that time of my life. It helped improve my confidence and self-esteem and it gave me experiences and opportunities which I would not have had if I had not joined. As a member, I performed alongside the likes of Katherine Jenkins and Rhydian, at venues including Hampton Court Palace, Millennium Centre Cardiff, and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The best part though was that the choir itself was like a family; we supported each other and had such great experiences together.
As a teenager what were your ambitions?
I was unsure of what I exactly wanted to do with my life, but I knew that whatever I did I wanted to be successful.
Did being a member of OBA help you achieve your goals or ambitions?
Being a member of OBA helped to improve my confidence and provided me with a sense of belonging and achievement. It gave me the skills I needed to overcome any obstacle that I faced in life.
Where are you now?
I have since graduated from university and have a full-time job. In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering and doing extracurricular activities – such as serving my community and helping others. I continue to enjoy singing and have since been a member of other choirs, after leaving OBA.
What advice would you give a boy who is thinking about joining OBA?
I would certainly recommend it. There is nothing else like OBA. You will meet incredible people and make good friends. Joining OBA will open doors for you, and you will gain fantastic experiences, opportunities and memories that will stay with you.
Can you sum up your OBA experience in 3 words?
‘’This is belonging’’
So are you thinking about joining Only Boys Aloud? Why not try out your nearest choir! Click here to find out more.
