Cathedral choristers make the final of this year’s BBC Young Chorister of the Year contest

York Minster and Norwich Cathedral will both feature in the final of this year’s BBC Young Chorister of the Year contest.

For York, it’s a double, as former chorister, Naomi, 16, now a student and chorister at Rugby School will join former York Minster chorister Samuel Brophy – now a student at Bootham School, York for the finals of the contest which will be broadcast on BBC Two this Sunday (December 11) at 1.15pm.

Norwich Cathedral will also be represented after chorister Alice Platten got through to the final of this prestigious national competition that celebrates the contribution made by young people to choirs across the UK.

It is the second time that Alice has wowed the BBC judges as she previously reached the BBC Young Chorister of the Year semi-finals in 2020.

Five girl choristers and five boy choristers performed in the semi-finals before the panel of judges at the weekend before they were narrowed down to just three girls and three boys for the final where one young singer will be crowned BBC Young Chorister of the Year and one will be given the Highly Commended accolade.

The winner will appear on Songs of Praise and have the chance to take part in BBC Radio recordings.

Canon Victoria Johnson, Precentor at York Minster said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to have two former choristers performing in this year’s finals.  Naomi and Sam are outstanding singers and we are proud that their singing journey began as choristers at York Minster.
 
“As well as nurturing raw singing talent, being a chorister equips children with a wide range of skills including resilience, self-organisation and self-discipline that will help to shape their learning for the future and prepare them for many life experiences.
 
“Regardless of the result next weekend, we hope that Naomi and Sam’s achievement will encourage and inspire more children to follow in their footsteps and think about being a chorister.

The Revd Dr Peter Doll, the Acting Dean of Norwich, said:

“I am delighted that the BBC Young Chorister competition has recognised the special gifts and musicianship that Alice brings to her singing; the whole Cathedral community wishes her every success.”

York Minster is currently recruiting new choristers for the academic year 2023.  For more information please contact, St Peter’s School, York, the Choir School for York Minster at www.stpetersyork.org

Photo credits: Duncan Lomax / Ravage Productions (York) and Bill Smith (Norwich).