Living Wales Magazine - Interview - Tim Rhys-Evans.

It is set to be a busy time in the lives of Welsh Choir sensations Only Men Aloud. This month Emma Assender talks to Musical Director Tim Rhys-Evans

At the time of speaking, Tim Rhys Evans is travelling on the tour bus to Aberglasney at least that is what it sounds like before the telephone network loses connection. But such is the way of Tims life since he and is 20 strong choir beat 60 shortlisted hopefuls to the title of winners of the BBCs Last Choir Standing competition in 2008; travelling is now a major part of all the ensembles lives, the logistics of which were the first topic for discussion.

I asked Tim if he prefers to conduct smaller groups? Having been described as a Large Man Band (he chuckles wryly) it is more practical to travel with a smaller ensemble, it works better we have the tour bus which is far more practical from a transportation point of view.

Of course there are other considerations and the group would not have achieved the success they have without Tims commitment to the craft of musical arrangement and showmanship. There is a great deal of choreography to our shows which would not work so well with a larger group.

Certainly watching Only Men Aloud! Is more than just a choral concert, not only does Tims tenacious devotion to quality shine through but all the members are trained performers in their own right, some having worked in West End musicals and singing professions perhaps most notably Noel Sullivan Of Hearsay.

Few of the group are strangers to putting on a show. No matter what their background though, they have all come together to raise the profile of singing in Britain. As a young boy, growing up in New Tredegar, the main access points for music revolved around the mines and chapels. The first time I heard live communal singing was when the male voice choirs toured around. It was an important part of my musical development, he added.

Tims career has taken a few turns; initially trained as an opera singer, he discovered a talent for musical arrangement when he picked up the conductors baton and directed for himself.