Only Men Aloud! - the new Cardiff Ambassadors
Cardiff choir Only Men Aloud! have been appointed the first official Ambassadors for the city, to mark their success in the BBC One show Last Choir Standing.
The award comes as the choir prepare for the semi-final of the competition, to be broadcast live on Saturday.
Choir director Tim Rhys Jones said the 18-man ensemble, who have excited the UK with their up-beat and innovative style, were keen to spread the word about their home city.
He said: “Cardiff is gaining a reputation as a cool city and that’s how we see our choir and our music. The city is going places and it is an honour for us to be chosen as Ambassadors for the capital of Wales. Last Choir Standing has been a great opportunity for our choir and we are keen to help promote our city."
Cardiff & Co managing director Richard Thomas said: “Only Men Aloud! have already proved that Cardiff is a city of skill and talent. Like the city, they are forward-thinking and successful. We like that and are very keen for them to be our first official ambassadors.”
Cardiff & Co, the company set up to promote the city, will launch a new Ambassador programme for the city in the autumn, when local organisations will be offered the chance to become Ambassadors, to help bring business to the city.
Richard Thomas added: “The whole city is behind the choir in this competition and we will be supporting Only Men Aloud! on Saturday.”
John Smart, chairman of JR Smart, the Cardiff-based development company, said: “Only Men Aloud! have really caught the imagination of everyone in and around Cardiff. By their actions, they are proving to the rest of the world what a great place Cardiff is. We at JR Smart are backing them to win and we’ll be making sure as many of our people as possible watch the show on Saturday night.”
Cardiff Council and the entire city business community will be supporting the choir as they face the next challenge on Saturday, singing for one of three places in the final. Once the judges have had their say on air, it will be up to viewers to phone in with their choice.
Last Choir Standing is broadcast on BBC One at 6.30pm and 8.20pm on Saturday 23rd August.
15/08/2008
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