A boys choir that wowed judges on hit TV show\u00a0 Britain\u2019s Got Talent is looking to have the same impact in Japan.<\/p>\n
Only Boys Aloud will be taking part in a televised concert in the Land of the Rising Sun with three Japanese youth choirs from the cities of Kitakyushu, Kumamoto and Oita that hosted the Welsh Rugby team and so warmly welcomed Wales during the World Cup in 2019.<\/p>\n
Around 120 singers from all 14 of the organisation\u2019s choirs will be taking part in the performance.<\/p>\n
The original plan was for the Welsh singers to travel to Japan but their tour last year was one of the first casualties of the Covid lockdown.<\/p>\n
Since then they have been participating in online rehearsals for the virtual concert that\u2019s being beamed live by a Japanese broadcaster on Saturday, March 20.<\/p>\n
Only Boys Aloud\u00a0 was founded by Tim Rhys Evans MBE to provide opportunities for youngsters aged 11-19 and keep the flame of the Welsh choral tradition alight.<\/p>\n
They shot to fame when they reached the final of Britain\u2019s Got Talent in 2012, with their audition clip being viewed 28 million times.<\/p>\n
During the concert, the Japanese choirs are planning a rousing rendition of the iconic Welsh song, Calon L\u0203n, while Only Boys Aloud will be singing a more recent classic, Anfonaf Angel (I\u2019ll Send an Angel) written by Robat Arwyn and Hywel Gwynfryn .<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Only Boys Aloud are taking part in a special St David\u2019s Day initiative called Everyone Aloud where they invited people to join in a sing-song that has been posted on the Senedd.<\/p>\n
They are also featuring in a digital showcase launched this morning (March 1) by Wales Arts International.<\/p>\n
It will include other artistic content created in lockdown Wales by a diverse range of artists and organisations.<\/p>\n
The campaign started with video messages from artists including musician and producer Kelly Lee Owens, actor Rhys Ifans, actress Rakie Ayola, harpist Catrin Finch, singer Gareth Bonello calling for small acts of kindness and fairness, in tune with St David\u2019s mantra Gwnewch y Pethau Bychain \u2013 Do The Small Things.<\/p>\n
The cancellation of the tour of Japan by Only Boys Aloud \u2013 which has 14 choirs across Wales \u2013 led to a virtual project to keep the connection alive, with the help of funding from\u00a0 the Japanese Government\u2019s Cultural Agency.<\/p>\n
Speaking after a virtual rehearsal Craig Yates,\u00a0 acting music director at the Aloud charity, said: \u201cWe are thrilled in Aloud to be working with the three choirs in Japan. Each choir is being led by a pair of our talented Aloud choir leaders in Wales, and we are holding the rehearsals online, live, some 6000 miles away.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were gutted that we were unable to visit Japan last year, to continue the relationship that was established between the two countries during the Rugby World Cup in 2019. We have been delighted that the use of technology has enabled us to continue this project and to build an artistic and cultural exchange between the two countries.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are teaching the choirs a specially arranged version of our Calon L\u00e2n, and our boys, choir leaders and everyone in Wales can\u2019t wait to hear these three choirs singing this iconic song. We hope that this is the very first step in an exciting cultural exchange between the two countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly Boys Aloud\u2019s weekly virtual rehearsal has been of benefit to the mental health of all of their members, and over 100 boys from all over Wales, take part in live rehearsals each week. For them being able to sing and express themselves in this way, has been hugely beneficial to their mental health and well-being.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor St David\u2019s Day, Only Boys Aloud are launching a project called \u2018Everyone Aloud\u2019 which invited anyone from anywhere in the World to join us in song to create an enormous virtual choir.\u00a0\u00a0”<\/p>\n
Phil George, chair of the\u00a0 Arts Council of Wales, said:\u00a0 \u201cSince St David\u2019s Day 2020, millions across the globe have suffered the painful loss of lives and livelihoods, of connection and shared activity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn particular, children and young people have had their worlds turned inwards – locked down, uncertain and anxious.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s a special pleasure to announce a collaboration between young singers in Wales and Japan. This St David\u2019s week, voices will be raised and our shared lives as citizens of the planet will be affirmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly Boys Aloud is an inspiring and joy-giving choir, celebrated for developing musical talents and offering life-changing opportunities for many of the young singers, some who have grown up in challenging situations.<\/p>\n
\u201cA virtual tour does not take away the disappointment of the cancelled Japan visit last year but it stands as a statement of hope and solidarity.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Eluned Haf, head of Wales Arts International, said: \u201cIt\u2019s extraordinary how, in parts of Wales hit hard by this pandemic, artists have taken their work off stage, and into different theatre spaces \u2013 whether in hospitals and the open air or in virtual worlds and digital platforms.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe arts have a change-making role to play in enabling communities to maximise their contribution towards local and global well-being goals and, importantly, in creating a different story for us all to pass on to future generations.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaking place from March 1-8, Wales Arts International is highlighting how doing the small things (y pethau bychain) can make a real difference to our community, to our planet and to our own well-being, and how the arts is central to this. #SmallThings #PethauBychain will continue throughout the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking in partnership with Welsh Government, Wales Arts International will continue the St David\u2019s Day celebrations over the week, bridging two weekends of virtual festivals G\u0175yl Dewi (international) and G\u0175yl 2021 (UK and Ireland) the following weekend, finishing on International Women\u2019s Day on 8 March.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach day will feature artistic work that bring joy or release focusing on small acts of care and kindness. Each connect to the seven Well-being Goals of Wales\u2019 – Wales\u2019 contribution to the UN Global Goals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lead content for each day will be broadcast on the AM platform, a new democratic digital platform showcasing cultural creativity from Wales.\u201d<\/p>\n