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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Anyone's dc auditioning for NCO?

28 replies

ImNotaCelebrity · 07/10/2012 22:56

So, as the title says ... anyone's dc auditioning for the National Children's Orchestra?
DS has his at the end of October. He's good, but not amazing, so he's realistically trying to get a place in the training orchestra. I teach him myself, and I don't really know anything about the NCO or the auditions, other than what I've read on the website. Can anyone give me any tips to help him to be as prepared as possible?

OP posts:
lonelyplanet · 09/10/2012 16:08

My dd has an audition in a few weeks. Again we have no idea what to expect, or even if she is a suitable level. I hope it will be a positive experience even if she doesn't get in.

Wafflenose · 08/10/2012 16:17

DD isn't auditioning, as she is not good enough, but I will follow with interest, as she might want to in a few years.

Generally, though, it's much better to play slightly simpler pieces securely, rather than something more demanding with errors. Sight reading is something you can practise every day using a couple of lines of tunes he hasn't yet learned to play. Playing in ensembles helps greatly with sight reading and rhythm too - does he have much experience of this? DD plays in the school orchestra, and plans to join the town's children's orchestra when she's old enough.

Good luck to your DS!

Colleger · 08/10/2012 15:07

My son is and was in it last year. I assume it's a string instrument?

Sight reading and good tone are the biggies. It's difficult to know how to prepare as it depends on who they are up against. This year has the most applicants!