Two former York Minster choristers have reached the semi-finals of the prestigious BBC Young Chorister of the Year contest 2022.

Samuel Brophy aged 13, a chorister from 2018 until 2022, will perform in the boy’s semi-final this Sunday 27th November. Naomi Simon, aged 16, a chorister from 2016 until 2020, will perform in the girl’s semi-final on Sunday 4th December.  Both semi-finals will take place at Gorton Monastery, Manchester and will be broadcast by the BBC.  Sam and Naomi hope to make the national finals which will be broadcast on BBC Two on Sunday 11^th December.

Canon Victoria Johnson, Precentor at York Minster said:  “We are delighted to learn that both of our former choristers, Naomi and Sam, have got through to the semi-finals of the BBC Young Chorister of the Year contest this year.  The contest is tough and demanding but it is also a wonderful and potentially life-changing experience for these young singers.”

Sam is now a student at Bootham School, York, whilst Naomi is a student and chorister at Rugby School.  Canon Vicky said:  “There is quite a history of York Minster choristers doing very well in this competition and we are obviously very, very proud of Naomi and Sam’s achievement.  Our prayers and best wishes go to both of them for the semi-finals.”