Chorister Auditions 

The talented BBC2 Radio Young Chorister of The Year 2019, Will Miles-Kingston, auditioned and found his voice as a pupil at The Minster School York, singing regularly in York Minster cathedral choir. He went from a fledgling probationer to singing The Snowman solo in the Minster, performing in Handel’s Messiah on three occasions, and moving entire congregations with many accomplished solos in Evensong and other services. 

Young people audition to be choristers at the end of January each year. The Minster School York and York Minster work closely together to run the auditions for pupils in Years 2 and 3, from other schools and from within The Minster School York, itself. 

To apply, young people simply need a love of singing, a prepared song, hymn or carol, and that lively, unquantifiable spark which seems to characterise a chorister. The audition day includes simple tests of general musicianship, for example clapping back a rhythm. Potential is key; we are looking for a voice that can be developed; rough diamonds rather than trained singers. 

There are also Reading, Writing and Maths tasks no more rigorous than would be the case at any school in Years 2 and 3; we are not seeking to cherry pick geniuses. The life of a chorister is busy, which might be too much for a child struggling academically, so we work hard to get the right fit from the start.

If your child is successful, they will become part of a close-knit community and will have an exceptional and unique experience that will stand them in good stead for their rest of their education, and for the whole of their lives.

To consider your son or daughter becoming a chorister, please contact The Minster School York on 01904 557230 or email school@yorkminster.org  to arrange a visit with The Head Teacher, Mrs Angela Mitchell, and/or York Minster’s Director of Music, Mr Robert Sharpe.

Further information on music at York Minster is available here