York Proms 2025: Rising opera stars and 200 local performers

The York Proms is hosting its biggest ever community stage when it returns to the Museum Gardens on Sunday 27 July, alongside its live orchestra and professional soloists.

The York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir, who are celebrating their centenary year, will be performing the National Anthem with the orchestra to open the show when it takes place for the seventh time.

The York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir is headlining the community stage (Image: Submitted)Other local talent includes York’s own Rock Choir, Lucy’s Pop Choir, Bridge Shanty Crew, York Musical Theatre Company and the Katie Ventress Dance School.

Music lovers of all ages will descend for the event which is being held in the shadow of the historic ruins of St Mary’s Abbey and will end with a rousing fireworks finale.

Lucy Farrimond is this year’s soprano at York Proms  (Image: Submitted) Lucy Farrimond, a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, is this year’s soprano, having previously captivated audiences at venues across the UK and internationally, including the Royal Albert Hall.

Lucy made her BBC Proms solo debut in 2019 at the age of 21, performing Haydn’s The Creation at the Royal Albert Hall with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also been featured on BBC, ITV, BBC Radio 4, and BBC Radio 3.

This year’s tenor will be Oscar Bowen-Hill, who has recently graduated with 1st Class honours in a BSc in Cognitive Science and Singing.

Oscar Bowen-Hill  (Image: Submitted) He sings with the London Philharmonic Choir, among others, and is embarking on the next steps of his singing career with scholarships at St Paul’s Knightsbridge and with the Oxford Bach Soloists.

The soprano and tenor will lead the audience in the Proms finale pieces, including Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory, and will perform some favourite, crowd-pleasing operatic arias and show songs.

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York Proms organiser, Rebecca Newman, said: “We are always looking out for rising stars in the opera and classical music world, with Lucy and Oscar being no exception.

“I am excited to hear them perform for our crowd and know they will go down a storm. With bright careers ahead, we are proud to add some more wonderful singers to our own York Proms hall of fame!” 

Tickets are selling fast and can be purchased at www.yorkproms.com or from Visit York Information Office on Parliament Street. No tickets will be sold on the gate, and the box office usually closes one week before, or sooner if sold out.

Gates open on the day at 5pm for Fast Track tickets and at 5.30pm for Standard. Picnics are permitted, including alcohol and glass bottles but bags will be checked on arrival.

Camping chairs are permitted, but tables, parasols, trollies and BBQs are not allowed.
No dogs will be admitted except assistance dogs.