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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

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?

OP posts:
Pradaqueen · 07/12/2015 19:53

Congrats waffle and everyone with a yes! Hope to be in your camp next year!!

raspberryrippleicecream · 07/12/2015 19:21

Well done Miniwaffle. Lovely news.

Congratulations to all successful DC and commiserations to others, but also well done for having a go.

OrchestraTaxi · 07/12/2015 18:38

Thank you, yes that's what I told her but it always helps if someone other than mum says that :)

Wafflenose · 07/12/2015 18:13

Well done to her. As Mini says, "That is a yes!" - it means she hit the correct standard. I hope she enjoys her regional orchestra.

OrchestraTaxi · 07/12/2015 16:50

Well after her 3rd try, my DD(11) got an associate place. She was quite upset not to get a yes, but she also knows that flute is super competitive.

Wafflenose · 07/12/2015 15:02

Well done to everyone who got happy letters today! I am over the moon. I thought she would hit the standard and get into regionals, but wasn't sure there would be room for her on the course. I hadn't thought about how we're going to fund it - surprised and pleased to have a second year! Oh well, we'll sort it out!

bopfactory · 07/12/2015 13:07

Both DD (10) and DS (8) got in (under 11s cello and Training Orchestra violin respectively). Really delighted for them both, as we only really put them in for auditions for the experience, and never expected either of them to get in! (both have only been learning for 2 years). Stressing slightly about the membership fees now!

baobei2006 · 07/12/2015 11:21

Hello Waffle, what a wonderful news! All those worries~gone !

TRL · 07/12/2015 11:16

It's a YES for DD for Under 10s! Can't wait for the end of the school day to tell her....

Musicdoc · 07/12/2015 11:15

Congrats superbaghag and Waffle... my post usually arrives 1-2pm so thinking of a quick dash home in my lunch break to find out if DS got into U11s!

nosuchwordascant · 07/12/2015 11:03

It's a reserve spot here should anybody cancel and regionals ...dd will be sad but happy at the same time i think......

superbaghag · 07/12/2015 10:53

A yes for DD here too. I called her instrumental teacher who went and told her herself. She just called home from the office in tears. Happy ones though!

Sorry to those who haven't made it through and good luck to those still waiting.

Wafflenose · 07/12/2015 10:34

I am very happy to be able to let you know that Mini got into Under 11s on Flute. She doesn't know - I am at work and she is at school. We'll let her read the letter for herself when we all get in, around 4.30pm.

Pradaqueen · 06/12/2015 17:56

Hi musicdoc,

RCMJD was indeed fab but I agree a major commitment especially before starting the whole scholarships process for secondary schools next year so we are going to think about it. Congrats to your daughter on the training place. Our teacher is very surprised at the decision ( and she would know more than us) but as I wasn't in the room I am not sure what happened! Won't stop us applying for next year though so onwards for us!

baobei2006 · 05/12/2015 22:09

Thanks Waffle, l hope you receive news coming Monday!

Musicdoc · 05/12/2015 21:52

Good news for my DD today who got into Training. She's really pleased because two of her friends got in too. DS still waiting though to hear for u11's....

Congratulations to your DC's who have been successful so far, and for those who haven't been, there are lots of other opportunities out there. My son had 3 years with the Oxford Cello School until he was in NCO last year and has decided that if he doesn't get into NCO this year he'll to back to OCS.

Pradaqueen we were at the RCMJD visit day today too. Great place but think neither of mine are ready for the commitment yet.

Wafflenose · 05/12/2015 21:15

Well done to your DD! Mine was in Under 10s this year, and loved it.

baobei2006 · 05/12/2015 21:05

We have been out the whole day only just got home and YES we received good news! Dd is accepted under 10s her second time. We are very grateful to her violin teacher, very positive feedback only on improving dynamic to create more colors.

Sorry for those not getting through this year but never give up, works on the feedback provided and try again next year!

chicafuego · 05/12/2015 15:45

Unfortunately he wasn't offered anything apart from the suggestion to try again next year. I am sad for him, but he seems OK. I feel that his teacher should have suggested/helped him more with the way he holds his bow/uses the bow, as that seemed to be a large part of their observations and they said it would hold him back. Hopefully, now this is in writing it will help for the future.
He is very keen to audition now for the Young National Schools Symphony Orchestra, but I think he needs to focus on the feedback from the NCO in the meantime.
Well done to your DD Musicmom.

Original poster
Musicmom1 · 05/12/2015 15:15

Waffle - thank you. Clarinet again :)

Chica and Prada - were you offered associate membership/regionals?

OP posts:
Wafflenose · 05/12/2015 13:15

Excellent news, Musicmom1 - which instrument? Tell her very well done from us!

Sorry to hear about those that didn't get in. I hope they'll find the feedback helpful, and try again.

Original poster
Musicmom1 · 05/12/2015 12:41

Hi under 11s for us.

Sorry to hear about the no's but hopefully everyone will want to audition again?

No one else we know has heard yet so I guess we got lucky with the post!

OP posts:
Pradaqueen · 05/12/2015 11:49

Hi Waffle, no I didn't complain as they gave her a new piece but it did put her off her stride somewhat... Currently at the RCM open day. It's amazing, and her teacher has recommended we explore it. One of her other students is second violin in the sinfonia and it sounds fantastic!

Hope the postman brings you better news on Monday!

chicafuego · 05/12/2015 11:47

I am afraid we got a no too. The comments were partly points I was aware of, even though I am not a musician- bow tends to stay near the fingerboard. They also commented that the way he holds the bow will hold him back. He has probably got into a bad habit, which I think it should have been the teacher's responsibility to help him with.
Any thoughts on how I could help him with this? I am now thinking maybe we should have looked around, rather than just automatically use the teacher that goes into school.
Luckily my DS just said, 'oh well, I will audition next time'.

Wafflenose · 05/12/2015 09:29

Postman has been and gone...

We got a bank statement! :(