Birmingham Citadel Band were delighted to join “Only Men Aloud” as part of their 2013 UK Tour when they visited Birmingham.

 

Only Men Aloud were formed in 2000 with the aim to inject some new blood into the Welsh male choir tradition.  The group's repertoire is varied and eclectic, from Welsh folksongs and hymns to musicals and opera, from barbershop and swing to pop.  The choir shot to fame when it won The BBC's Last Choir Standing in the summer of 2008, and released their debut album shortly afterwards, which went gold in the UK.  The men's second album 'Band of Brothers' went straight to the top of the classical charts, and they completed two sell out tours of the UK in 2009 which won a Classical Brit award! Only Men Aloud's  third album, the Christmas themed 'In Festive Mood' was released in December 2012.  Only Men Aloud were honoured to sing in the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, and have also appeared at the Royal Variety Performance.

 

BCB was involved in the finale of the UK tour when, as the show drew to a close, the distant sounds of a Salvation Army band could be heard before the stage doors opened and the band marched on playing the march “Christmas Joy”.  When on stage the band accompanied Choirboy of the Year Jack Topping (recently the youngest artist to sign for DECCA records) and Only Men Aloud in festive arrangements of Away in a Manger and Joy to the World, before leading the packed Symphony Hall in 2 verses of Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

 

Following the concert the band moved out on to the ICC concourse as people made their way in to the December night and many hundreds stayed to listen to the band play carols and Christmas marches such as “Christmas Praise” and “The Carollers”.  There was audible disappointment when the band ‘called it a day’ but it was gone 10pm and it was a busy weekend ahead!