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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

NCO 2018

991 replies

stringchild · 23/08/2017 19:07

The new annual thread for those interested and/or auditioning! Ask questions, update your news - lots of nco parents on board and those hoping to be :)

OP posts:
Wafflenose · 12/12/2017 13:51

Well done MiniTaggie! I hope you can make regionals work for him - they're fab.

TaggieOHara · 12/12/2017 13:50

DS2 got associate membership/regionals. I'm pleased he got that far, but a tiny bit disappointed he didn't get into the U10s, especially as I'm not sure we can make regionals mesh with his chorister commitments. He got pretty positive comments on his pieces - especially his musicality - but he had a 'variable pulse' in the sightreading.

Congrats to those who have had positive responses so far, and good luck to the rest of you Smile

Wafflenose · 12/12/2017 13:35

Congratulations to MiniSnowbell and MiniMarmaduke.

Nigglenotes · 12/12/2017 13:35

It is. And DD's playing took a little leap in development too.

WindMum · 12/12/2017 13:34

Congratulations to all gaining Associate Membership!

WindMum · 12/12/2017 13:33

NSSO sounds like a great alternative to NCO!

Nigglenotes · 12/12/2017 13:33

Well done Snowbellina!, which instrument? Know what you mean about a pattern...

Has your mini been in NCO before?

Original poster
stringchild · 12/12/2017 13:32

Congratulations Snow

OP posts:
Original poster
stringchild · 12/12/2017 13:31

Niggke - that’s wonderful; I do like how they work

OP posts:
WindMum · 12/12/2017 13:30

There's the National Prep School's Orchestra too - don't know much about them other than they recruit right up until their residential course in the summer and your DC doesn't need to be at a prep school to attend. A local school encourages their children to apply to gain larger ensemble playing experience and confidence without (so I understand) the stress of an audition.

Nigglenotes · 12/12/2017 13:27

We auditioned for NSSO last year, String, and DD had sat g2 exam but played a g4 piece for her audition. She was very quiet as she always is around new people (with her stammer) and I could tell he was concerned she would cope with a week away (even asking the head teacher of her primary).

So I emailed him a picture of her singing a solo on stage at a theatre (with head mic, in the centre of the stage, etc), showing that her initial shyness is a short term defence mechanism.

Said yes the next day.

bassclef · 12/12/2017 13:26

Well done to your dc snowbellina - very appropriate username for the current weather!

snowbellina · 12/12/2017 13:24

Associate member & regionals here. Seems to be a pattern emerging 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
stringchild · 12/12/2017 13:21

NSSO was a completely different audition process when dd did it - it was as much about seeing how the child worked and responded to the ‘adjudiactor’ To see if they they would join in/Get the most out of the course. And we heard the results within a couple of days 😉

OP posts:
Nigglenotes · 12/12/2017 13:20

I will be happy when The Wait is over.

marmadukehussey · 12/12/2017 13:19

Thanks, stringchild :-)

(And DC was another Vivaldi, A minor, player! Second movement though.)

violinistmum · 12/12/2017 13:19

Thanks Niggle. That (hopefully!) gives us time to get NCO results in first and decide whether to try nsso if unsuccessful

violinistmum · 12/12/2017 13:16

Ah, thanks Charis. We'll find out soon enough! I had also heard the same about Vivaldi and also too late to change! Your dd has done brilliantly with it though! My son will be so happy if he makes regionals!

Nigglenotes · 12/12/2017 13:13

31 Dec for NSSO this year.

violinistmum · 12/12/2017 13:12

At the NCO audition we were told by another parent about the NSSO. I think we'll try that if unsuccessful. Be careful though because I'm sure when I checked the deadline was fairly soon. It may have been end Dec or early Jan if my memory is correct! Worth checking out!

Original poster
stringchild · 12/12/2017 13:11

Congratulations Marmaduke!

OP posts:
CharisInAlexandria · 12/12/2017 13:11

volinistmum I am sure your ds did it brilliantly

CharisInAlexandria · 12/12/2017 13:09

I think Vivaldi in A minor is not a great choice as everyone plays it. This was pointed out on this board but it was too late by the time I read it.

Basically they have all heard it 1000 times so if you are going to play it then it had better be good!

That said it sounds great now but I would only recommend it to a dc who can absolutely nail it.

violinistmum · 12/12/2017 13:08

Charis we also chose the Vivaldi A minor. My ds went for the first movt and loved playing it Smile

Nigglenotes · 12/12/2017 13:06

We were thinking about Vivaldi in a minor Charis, but in the end went for a Bohm piece.