Only Men Aloud have announced concerts in Monmouth and Blackwood as part of an 11 date spring tour of Wales this year.

Following their recent shake-up, Only Men Aloud, the Classical Brit Award winners who came to prominence as the nation’s favourite choir with their triumph in BBC’s Last Choir Standing is taking their new ensemble of eight singers to venues across the length and breadth of Wales in the spring.

Over the years the hugely popular choir has built up a strong fan base across the country, and this audience is now eager to see the new generation OMA performing in 10 venues over a fortnight at the end of February, along with special guest, the West End and World’s End artist Sophie Evans.

Announcing the Only Men Aloud spring tour, choir founder and Music Director Tim Rhys Evans said: “The new line-up has been working hard on material over the past months, and now we can’t wait to get out on the road in the spring to show off our new generation and entertain our fantastic Welsh audiences.”

After 13 years and some incredible experiences – from winning BBC’s Last Choir Standing and the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special to scooping a Classical Brit Album of the Year Award and performing to a global TV audience as the Cauldron was lit at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics, Only Men Aloud has undergone a regeneration with a fresh line-up and a new, more individual style that suits their personalities - but with the same popular appeal that has wowed fans across the country.

Over the years the Wales-based male choir has varied in size according to requirements, sometimes having 20 men on stage performing a varied repertoire that covers everything from Welsh traditional music and Opera to Tom Jones and Coldplay. The new eight-man line-up follows open auditions when all members of OMA and potential newcomers were invited to sing for Tim and a panel of industry figures including internationally acclaimed soprano Rebecca Evans and Jonathan Butterell, a highly experienced Broadway and West End director. It is testament to the talent in the group that all eight members are existing members of OMA.

Tim and colleagues in OMA are also busy with the Aloud charity which is developing opportunities for Welsh youngsters in Only Boys Aloud and the Wales Millennium Centre Only Kids Aloud Chorus to discover the joys and benefits of choral singing.

Only Men Aloud will perform at Monmouth Savoy on February 27 and Blackwood Miners Institute on March 3.

Visit.onlymenaloud.com for ticket details.