NCO 2018

U11's, string. Think she'll be gutted after 2 years of residentials. Been a tough week for her ... Resilience Training Bootcamp!!

folk, we are 'H'

Still waiting for news of U13 here. Also waiting to hear from NCBBGB - postie delivering for the first time in days later so very tense here!

Congrats miniTRL!! just to throw another theory out there, where does your surname lie alphabetically?? We are 'A'....

Just been offered Reserves for U12's for DD1.

Well said, Folk.
Speaking personally, I'd have been over the moon if ds had been offered regionals. Silver medal is better than no medal!

Sorry, that all sounds a bit preachy, doesn't it?

To echo others' comments, reserves and associates are all 'on standard'. I genuinely felt when watching my DD in Regionals there was no way of telling the associates from full members, other than the backs of their hoodies! So much comes into play - remember it is a National orchestra, so they need to make sure there is representation from the whole of the UK and from a diverse range of backgrounds. And for some sections, there are just sooo many kids playing at a really high standard. Getting any offer is an amazing achievement and although we all feel that little tinge of 'if only' or 'what do they have to do!?' (myself included), this is a wonderful organisation to be a part of and even being in the position to audition means all our DC's are doing incredibly well. I certainly wasn't playing at this standard at 10, and I am a very happy (and reasonably able) amateur musician with a true passion for music. What lies ahead for these talented DC's is very exciting....

Yes, sorry! All the other info has been updated for 2018.

So, rush over there, and then come back!

Hi, Just went to the NCO website and the names of children are up under National Orchestras, Full membership lists.

I was also told that there weren't many reserves so all those with this extra award on top of associate membership should be disheartened at all.

Hello everyone! I've just managed to read all - I was a bit overwhelmed yesterday by the speed of this thread's fast movement... Well done to all of you who took part of this challenge - such an achievement no matter the outcome.

Taggie, you sound rather disappointed by the result. But didn't the message from NCO say that your DS was placed on the reserve list because his performance was met their standard? My DS was on the reserve last year and that's what the letter said. It's just that the competition was just so insane. You must be incredibly proud of your little chap to have reached their standard, you know? I was, last year. Like yours, my DS was painfully inexperienced (first ever audition, no exam experience, no violin outside school). I remember we were jumping around with a joy by the news.

DS didn't get called for the summer camp in the end, but he absolutely enjoyed and loved the regional. In fact, he probably wants to go back to the regional and is not thinking of the residential as an option. Enjoy the regional, he will love it.

We are definitely due a 'no' today or tomorrow, regardless of what else we might get, because Rara can't play clarinet and cello at the same time...! 2 kids, 3 auditions.

Luckily, I have performances at 3 schools today, and all-day rehearsals, so I won't be about much.

We were on the Reserve list last year and also DD BFF - neither was called up. However, Regionals were so great we all forgot about that!

Good luck to everyone waiting for news today. BFF also still waiting for news, so I am just as nervous as yesterday, keeping everything crossed!

Today should be full offer day! Good luck everyone.

Well done violinistsmum
My DD, DS and DD's friend were all reserved last year (U10s and u12s) and they all got in. We found out in May/June last year so a little bit of notice but can still play havoc with holiday planning!

Congratulations Minimusiciansmama! A great result! What instrument does your little one play?

Huge well done, Musicdoc's DD - it is an amazing achievement. Still waiting here also after one result yesterday...

Totalshambles, I know what you mean, but I imagine the paperwork that comes with the emails still means the process is a bit of a nightmare: letter, plus scanned copy of the comments etc.

I know what it's like trying to send one reasonably sized email to a handful of recipients!

To do well over a 1,000 with attachments, and make sure they get all the right details, and deal with bouncebacks - I can only imagine. (Wincing at the thought of it!)

FWIW I much prefer this way to the letter system.

Good luck to everyone still waiting and well done to everyone else so far :-)