Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Extra-curricular activities

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

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 08:01

String players in years 2-4 go into training. Year 5 would be Under 10s.

CoffeeTeaChocholate · 12/12/2017 07:55

Thank you string, I think you are right. This is so confusing! Fingers crossed for today everyone!

Original poster
stringchild · 12/12/2017 07:49

Coffee - i think Training as she is a violin?

OP posts:
CoffeeTeaChocholate · 12/12/2017 07:43

Thank you piper, so for a violinist, she is competing against older children this year? Hmmm.... remote chance just got smaller I think!

Piperdrum · 12/12/2017 07:21

Training, unless your DD is a wind player, then under 10s as training just strings.

CoffeeTeaChocholate · 12/12/2017 07:04

Good morning, and good luck today everyone! A couple of questions for the experienced parents, if my DD is 8, turning 9 in February, which orchestra is she auditioning for (I think the training orchestra). But next year, which orchestra is it then? Sorry, the age banding suddenly got me terribly confused 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
stringchild · 11/12/2017 22:43

WindMum - yes the age band changes will impact some sections/orchestras, plus the larger number of applicants

i guess most of us will hear tomorrow and weds given the message updates, so good luck to those dc waiting

OP posts:
WindMum · 11/12/2017 22:38

Niggle - I've also heard that there are some children who don't audition until they are older as they/their families don't want younger ones on residential courses. Not sure how true that is though.

It's all a bit different this year though because of the age banding changing and some children repeating an orchestra (potentially) so there are less spaces than usual for all the previous members to move up.

Musicdoc · 11/12/2017 19:47

Sorry to hear that floot and sunset. But great feedback Smile Out of interest, with such good feedback were either of them offered associate membership?

TrumpetVoluntary · 11/12/2017 19:06

Sorry to see your DS didn’t get in Sunset. Good feedback though!
No news here. Hope not too many more days to wait.

Nigglenotes · 11/12/2017 17:45

Windmum, I heard that it can get harder at the higher age bands as the children who have gone off to specialist music schools in Year 7 can have an impact.

Nigglenotes · 11/12/2017 17:41

Just counting the number of years, as DD is only just 10, we will have to survive this pre-Christmas drama... not easy being the parent of a musical mini; but at least, Kutik, we get to keep our feet warm and don't have to brave the elements for match days!

Floottoot · 11/12/2017 17:26

Commiserations, Sunset but well done to your DS for good feed back. Vibrato etc will come with time, so fingers crossed for him for next year.

WindMum · 11/12/2017 17:19

DDs friend just texted to say she didn't make U12s and she was in U11s last year (violin). There are no guarantees for any of the DC.

CoffeeTeaChocholate · 11/12/2017 17:15

Our posts crossed Niggle.... ok, back to laundry and dinner and start over tomorrow morning

CoffeeTeaChocholate · 11/12/2017 17:12

Guess that's all for today....?

Nigglenotes · 11/12/2017 17:11

I think we can all breath out as it is 5.10pm and we can start again tomorrow morning!

CrazyMamaOf2 · 11/12/2017 16:59

Sorry to hear floot and sunset. Sounds like the feedback is positive though. Onwards and upwards...

GI76 · 11/12/2017 16:22

Sunset and Floot both your minis got great feedback! Sunset my DS2 also applied for U10 (cello) for the first time. No news yet...but whatever the outcome it was a good, valuable experience for them all.

Trumpetboysmum · 11/12/2017 16:12

Oh sorry to hear that sunset . Hope your ds is ok he has lots of years in nco ahead of him so hopefully he'll try again next year

Wafflenose · 11/12/2017 16:12

We got an advert too! I have told Goo to expect results Wed or Thurs.

Minimusiciansmama · 11/12/2017 16:00

Sorry to hear your news sunset and floot but well done for all your Minis work and talent xxx

bassclef · 11/12/2017 15:27

I'm sorry to hear that Sunset, but like floottoot the feedback is positive so I hope your DC will not be too downhearted and try again next year.

I've had an email from NCO but it was an advert for the NYO winter tour. So no results here yet, but again the adrenaline was going!

SunsetBoulevard · 11/12/2017 15:23

We've just had a no here too (applied for under 10's on cello). The feedback was very nice and they said that his intonation and rhythm were spot on but that he should relax more and also incorporate vibrato to add greater depth.

Original poster
stringchild · 11/12/2017 13:30

Well done to Floot’s son for getting great feedback - roll on next year 😀

OP posts: