A SINGING prodigy has encouraged other male teenagers to join their local choir and perhaps travel the world.

The renowned Only Boys Aloud gave a dazzling performance at Bryn Seiont Newydd in Caernarfon during a session that turned into a real family affair for one of the talented teenage singers.

Lewys Meredydd, 17, from Dolgellau, was already proud to be appearing alongside fellow members but the evening was made even more special for him as his 93-year-old great-aunt was part of the appreciative audience.

The choir, which aims to introduce new generations of youngsters from across Wales to the power of music, was staging the second of its two seasonal concerts at Pendine Park’s flagship on the outskirts of the town.

Now the performance been shortlisted for in the Arts, Business and the Community at the prestigious Arts and Business Cymru Awards at the Wales Millennium Centre on Friday, May 25.

But for Lewys, the performance was bittersweet as it was one of his last after he travelled across the country and continent singing with the popular group.

“I’m dropping out simply because school commitments are beginning to overwhelm everything else,” said the sixth form pupil who studies at Ysgol Bro Hyddgen in Machynlleth.

“A levels and the exams in the coming months should be my priority.

“I was a member of Only Boys Aloud for two and a half years, but have been under the conduction of [choir founder] Tim Rhys Evans since the age of 11, being one of the first members of Only Kids Aloud.

“One of my fondest memories was probably the experience of singing in a world renowned venue in Russia, the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, with Only Kids Aloud.

“I’m very lucky to have had such an opportunity at that age.

“Singing is definitely something I’d like to carry on with far into the future though, in the styles of classical or contemporary. I would definitely recommend joining choirs and other musical groups. Only Boys Aloud is a great example of a group of people striving to boost the confidence of boys who have singing talent.

“I believe there is a stigma with boys and singing, especially in large secondary schools. Only Boys Aloud acts as a safe haven for this.”

Only Boys Aloud now has more than 200 teenage boys singing with 14 choirs across Wales, including the one in Caernarfon, which rehearses each Monday evening between 6.30 pm and 8.30pm at the rugby club.