NCO 2018

Waffle fingers crossed ( though I think he would rather be with his friends!!)

Trumpet, the only reason they tend to be asked to play on is if they are good enough to go up. I definitely think it's a good thing rather than a bad one.

String and waffle I've also told ds that if he doesn't get in it's not about going backwards that's just the way it goes with competitive auditions sometimes - dd is more used to the ups and downs of these than ds most recently when she didn't get a singing part in a show because she was recovering from an awful cold on the day of the audition.

Waffle he's good but definitely not exceptional ( and on paper not as good as some of the other under 12's though that's due mostly to him starting late and us being in no rush to take grade 8) we just have no idea why he was asked to do much harder sight reading I'm trying not to think about it too much he would be gutted if he didn't get in especially as I know he will feel that the trumpets weren't all assessed against the same standard. I have explained that sometimes it just goes like that and doesn't seem particularly fair - all part of the learning curve and his teacher reckons learning to deal with failure is part of learning to be a muscician- but he won't have to deal with ds's disappointment in December if this should be the case !!

Thank you Waffle and String, that’s good to hear - we will keep our fingers crossed

DD tends to fixate on the negatives but seems happier today, she’s definitely moved on!

Goo has been very worried about that, but is having an unexpected burst of confidence last night. Probably just means she played the Mozart correctly for a change!

Trumpetmum he will definitely be allowed next year. Barring this year's autumn birthday confusing, they normally only bump them up a year if they're exceptional. A girl in South Westerlies did Main three times.

HouseFull that sound good. DD made two mistakes in her unprepared last year, and got in.

musicathome hopefully by Dec 10th/ 11th ish. One week in the summer and optional monthly all-age orchestra is correct. I think we get a lot more than 25 at our venue, but it's surrounded by large rural areas, and people come from a long way away.

Usually let people know in early December after the end of year concerts.

Audition done now. I am looking forward to hearing different pieces on the cello now...
There were 25 kids auditioning at our venue on the same day! Lots of interest. Is this usual?
My DS auditioned for first time (U10) with his cello. He said sight-reading was very easy, his pieces went well and he had a sweaty on the way home . All in all a good experience for him.

When do they let us know the outcome? I went through the website and for the U10 they seem to have one residential and do they also play at the regionals once a month? Or is this something different?
My DS will enjoy it but as he has never done it before he was not worried/nervous.
Good luck for next week!

Not a usual poster but hoping for some solidarity!

DD (11) had her audition yesterday on cello for U12s. She made U10s and U11s the last two years and attended regionals. Her pieces went well I think, she was only accompanied for one but the accompanist (also DD’s piano teacher) said it was very good. DD said that the other piece was fine.

DD is really worried about her sight reading. Prepared was mostly fine but said that she messed up towards the end of the unprepared which threw her off. She thinks now that she won’t get back in and is a bit down about it.

I think I’m going to try not to think about it until December.

Good luck to everyone still to audition.

DD2 would be eligible for U11 again and looking at this year's numbers there were only 2 bassoons in U10s. Fingers crossed that she might get offered U11. One of her friends would be U12 and the other, although just turned 11 looks as though she is 13 and has the lung capacity to go with it, so they might put her up to U12. Trying not to think about it until December.

That's what I was thinking ( maybe that's why they got ds to try harder stuff ?) which I don't mind as long as he's allowed to try for the main orchestra again next year - when he's the right age. Hopefully this whole situation won't have disadvantaged him ( or anyone else for that matter)

That's what I was thinking ( maybe that's why they got ds to try harder stuff ?) which I don't mind as long as he's allowed to try for the main orchestra again next year - when he's the right age. Hopefully this whole situation won't have disadvantaged him ( or anyone else for that matter)

Waffle and string they asked everyone when ds auditioned the other week . It doesn't affect ds as he has a February birthday ( but it's where I think the confusion over his sightreading might have come from )

Goo won't go up by default (not good enough). She doesn't want to be principal either, but probably wouldn't be in U12s anyway (not good enough!). I do strongly want her away from someone, and she would be delighted to end up with your DD. I think that if they are going to have to repeat a year and get used to new people and make new friends, I'd rather Goo did that sooner than later, got used to it and felt able to move on.

I think that sounds encouraging, Doubleup.

Goo has just told me she is feeling "very confident"... I have never heard those words issuing from her mouth before!! There has been some angst though. A few friends have been asked if they'd prefer Under 12s or Under 13s, and she doesn't know what to say if they ask her the same. Most of her friends are U13 now anyway, and those affected by the new rules seem to be choosing to go up. I strongly want her to stay down, she has done all her crying over her friends, and we have settled on, "Please can you put me where you think is best" if that question comes up.

She did try for a last-minute change of programme. Her teacher encouraged it, then we tried a few things, got some expert advice and decided to leave well alone.

I was wondering what instrument has high gas.. Must be very relieved it is done! Live performance is so tricky, and they are so young. Stress free Sunday on the way.

Hi Gs, rather than gas!

Well DD's audition is done. Verdict was that it was a bit mixed. The Hurlstone piece which is usually her best had a couple of fluffed phrases, but she kept going. The baroque Telemann piece was the best she'd played it though and she kept the energy levels up, so who knows what the end result will be. She told me she had been so nervous that she was feeling a bit sick. And one of the keys had had a slight knock, so was sticking and affecting her high Gas, although the steward did tell them. Ah well....

Morning all.... my two have auditions today, and I am accompanying three others. Good luck to minidouble - where are you auditioning?