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Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

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Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Extra-curricular activities

NCO 2016

108 replies

Musicmom1 · 29/09/2015 15:25

Auditions started this week so a new thread for those whose DC are auditing and anyone else interested.

Dd was in the Under 10s this year, and reserve for the Training Orchestra the year before. Auditioning twice - this week and in Oct. unfortunately our accompanist had pulled out this week but DD is ok going solo. We aren't expecting a place this year as it is seems to get harder as you go into the older orchestras but the journey has been brilliant so far and DD wouldn't consider not having a go.

Anyone else?

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Wafflenose · 29/09/2015 19:49

Mini (still 9 for a few more weeks) has done a year of Under 10s on Flute and would have to be Under 11s next year, because she turns 10 by the end of the year. Realistically, I think this is probably her last shot. If she doesn't get in, we'll turn our attention to NYRO, as Recorder is her first instrument and she should more than qualify for that. her audition is in about 3 weeks. I am accompanying one piece and need to practise more as it's hard! The other one is unaccompanied. Mini wasn't working hard enough until very recently, but is now determined to give it her best effort. We'll see...

TRL · 29/09/2015 22:31

DD1 is auditioning for the first time this year in three weeks and has a lot of work to do .... Her pieces are getting there but her sight reading is weak so we're practising that every day. She's 9 until next April so will go for U10's, I guess. Even just writing this makes me realise, I'm nervous for her - she's not fazed at all, luckily!

Musicmom1 · 30/09/2015 05:21

Welcome TRL - what instrument is DD?

Waffle - we saw some of the Mains and Under 13 strings play on sat; the standard and polish was amazing!

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TRL · 30/09/2015 12:47

Thanks Musicmom1!

She plays harp and reading two clefs is her issue for sight reading - she also plays viola and the sight reading there is much easier to her as it's just one (albeit different again) clef at a time. She's started to teach herself piano and weirdly that's having more effect on improving her harp sight reading than sitting at the harp - go figure!

What does your DD play? She's auditioning on two instruments?

Wafflenose · 30/09/2015 15:59

I must try and see some of the older orchestras one day, although it's unlikely Mini will get that far. I do feel like part of the family, and that NCO will always be part of us now, even if this proves to be the end of the line for her.

Sight reading is Mini's strong point (due to being further ahead on her other instrument) and her tone/ breathing are weaknesses. She could do with growing a bit to help her manage longer phrases - she has barely grown for a year. And the tone will get worse before it gets better, as she is likely to be getting braces this winter.

Scaredofthepianoexaminer · 30/09/2015 19:01

DD's audition tomorrow.
It is not until mid afternoon.
Yesterday she asked if she had to go to school in the morning as she did not want to be 'too tired' to play well. Nice try

Musicmom1 · 08/10/2015 21:35

Hello. How is everyone getting on? There seem to be very few of us on here (but record numbers applying!)

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Scaredofthepianoexaminer · 09/10/2015 15:53

All done done - think it went well, as best I can tell anyway from DD (11) who is becoming less communicative by the day! Just a long wait now - I think all her friends have done theirs now too so I am sure there has been much discussion by email etc about how they all think they got on.

Wafflenose · 09/10/2015 20:15

Very pleased for your DD, Scared.

Hmm, it's not going brilliantly here. DD was the only soloist in a community concert this week (at the high school she will eventually go to) so has been practising a completely different piece. There was a false start due to the keyboard being incorrectly transposed, then during her (very nice) performance, she made a significant slip, and kind of revved in neutral for 3 seconds. In front of 400 people. She was gutted, and wouldn't believe everyone who told her it sounded fab. Since then, she's been super tired and hasn't practised, so today's run through was pretty poor. Hopefully she can get a few more early nights and lots of practice in yet, but we have her birthday to get through before the audition. I'd say she's somewhat distracted right now!

Musicmom1 · 09/10/2015 20:36

Well done Scared's DD! Guess she would be under 12s?

Waffle sounds like one of those times that seem like an eternity to performer (and mom) but the audience never notice. When is audition? our second one is 21st at W. 1st audition went ok she thinks but without an accompanist when one of the pieces really needed one. At least for clarinet she has a very lovely pianist she played with in the summer albeit we will only get a rehearsal on the day. DD really isn't expecting a place this time, although DD would be thrilled if she did get in . But really looking forward to wearing the red skirt again for her regional concert in November :)

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Wafflenose · 10/10/2015 10:41

We are hoping for Regionals, but not really expecting anything.

NCO recently said 50% of the kids audition unaccompanied, and it's really not a problem. I am accompanying my DD for one piece (and need to practise more) and the other one doesn't have a piano part.

DD's audition is in 12 days.

baobei2006 · 21/10/2015 10:39

Hello all, I am new to the forum. My Dd, baobei is auditioning on 23rd Oct, less than 48 hrs away! Not much can be done now. Keep calm. She is in Training Orchestra this year, will be 10 in Apr next year, so under 10's (same as TRL) She is auditioning ONLY on violin, her 1st instrument. She plays viola and piano as well.
Musicmom1: why your Dd need to do 2 auditions? And how does it go?
Wafflenose : why do you say might be last shot for Mini, because of the Braces? I am sorry that I know nothing about flute.

superbaghag · 21/10/2015 14:11

My DD also auditioning this time around. She's looking forward to performing (for someone other then me) at her audition this week

TRL · 21/10/2015 15:09

DD had hers this afternoon - really enjoyed herself and came out relaxed and beaming (same as she went in...only me with nerves it would seem!).

I did point out to her that these are the 'good guys' in that they're willing you on to do your best so their orchestras are great rather than the ABRSM examiners who simply record how you do. She found it all very positive and bounced out saying that she'll definitely audition again next year whatever the outcome as auditioning is such good fun!!

So now the long wait for us. Good luck to all those still to audition.

OrchestraTaxi · 21/10/2015 20:42

My eldest auditioned on October 1st this year. She is 11 and auditioned with 2 Grade 7 pieces. We're hoping 3rd time lucky, as she has not been successful getting in yet.

Musicmom1 · 21/10/2015 21:03

Hi DD auditioned today too - second one because she has two instruments and wanted to split the auditions. No Ida how it met but She is happy that she did her best so now the long wait!

Waffle - I guess Mini's is this week so good luck from me and DD - would be super if they both got in again; keep watching the video and it was a lovely concert, wasn't it?

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Wafflenose · 22/10/2015 08:11

It's today. And she changed one of her pieces 36 hours ago - to something she hadn't played since August 2014! I can't say too much on here, but it's due to complete lack of support, and a performance which spooked her a few weeks ago. New piece (or should I say old one, really) is very easy - she can play it well, but I'm not sure it's going to measure up.

baobei we always planned for this to be her last shot because flute is super competitive, the required level goes up exponentially from age 11, and she simply won't keep up - it's her second instrument. First is Recorder, so she can't audition on that.

I am so sure she won't get in again that I am already making plans to look into NYRO instead for next year, but we'll see.

Musicmom1 · 22/10/2015 11:49

Welcome orchestra taxi - was it flute? Good for your DD for keeping trying and fingers crossed this is her year.

Waffle - they can see musicality whatever level the piece and mini can concentrating on performing, which they will appreciate. Also the. Sight reading will show how advanced she is. So I hope she has a really positive day. There is a wind and brass course next summer at wells which they can always do instead :)

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OrchestraTaxi · 22/10/2015 12:29

Thanks for the welcome :) Yes it was for flute. She said if she doesn't get in this year with flute, she'll try next year with double bass as well! She really enjoys auditions and exams, it's me that gets nervous.

Good Luck to everyone else.

Wafflenose · 22/10/2015 12:40

It went far better than I'd dared to hope. She has been in such a bad place these last few weeks, but as usual rose to the occasion and sounded stunning. The big acoustic of the room helped her, and a stage too! Sight reading is her strong point and she found it easy - just two little slips in the unprepared one. She is happy, and knows she couldn't have tried any harder. If she gets in, it will just be that the standard is that bit higher.

Great to hear about the wind and brass course, Musicmom1. I'll look in to it.

superbaghag · 22/10/2015 14:59

Musicmom1 we are doing course at Wells next summer too

superbaghag · 22/10/2015 15:00

Ooops pressed send to early. Audition day for us tomorrow. She is playing really well but worried about feeling nervous.

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Wafflenose · 22/10/2015 15:07

And I obviously meant if she DOESN'T get in, it will mean the others are a bit further along...

Wafflenose · 22/10/2015 15:15

Good luck to super's DD!

superbaghag · 22/10/2015 15:24

Thanks. Shes's a percussionist which will out me to anyone local and reading this.

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