NCO 2018

I think it’s best to do whatever gives them confidence! Some kids would be rattled by playing with a strange accompanist and would be better off without. We are super lucky as DD’s BFF’s Mum is an AMAZING pianist, and as they usually do everything together (NCO included!) we always have our favourite accompanist on hand!

Oh no Trumpet! What rubbish timing! Hope he feels well tomorrow... x

Oh and ds now has a cough and a cold so tomorrow really could go either way but he's staying positive and says he's had an amazing year this year which is the main thing. He also stayed up late last night watching the under 12s summer concert

Don't worry about it kutik. Ds isn't playing with an accompaniment either and his teacher says it's fine to do it like that. Unless you can accompany your own child it's very difficult to find one if the audition is miles away - especially if your teacher isn't putting in other students at the same venue - ours isn't. We will see what the comments say in December about ds playing without and that will help us decide what we do in future but I think if they are truely trying to reach out to everyone as an organisation then they either accept unaccompanied playing or provide their own . Otherwise you are only ever going to get the children from already musical families, those that live locally or those with teachers who regularly put children in for this sort of thing. Last year ds's teacher accompanied for 1 piece- explained that he couldn't properly play the piano solo part and would be improvising !! And ds did the other piece unaccompanied as it didn't have a piano part. He got in and had amazing feedback Ds has done it all different ways in the last 12 months and it doesn't really seem to make a difference

Good luck to kids auditioning this week!

Our audition is in less than two weeks and I still have not sorted out an accompanist! I am/was hoping his piano teacher will do it, but now that looks unlikely...
DS's teacher said the same Kutik that it will be better with piano. Not sure what to do, as it is quite a commitment for the piano accompanist having to drive to the venue as well (about 30 min away). Also what is the going rate to pay?
Feel so disorganised

Good luck with those who are having an audition this week!

We didn't arrange an accompanist as it was rather a last minute attempt. I know NCO says 50% or so children come without. But DS's teacher said children play better with accompaniment in general. I wonder if I should have made more effort to support DS (rather than messing up his violin by changing the strings before the audition...).

First ever audition for my wee girly....! Of many, many, many i am sure!

Tell me about it!! This is DD’s 3rd big audition inside a month! (The other 2 were for theatre) she’s knackered!

Tell me about it!! This is DD’s 3rd big audition inside a month! (The other 2 were for theatre) she’s knackered!

Me too I can't wait for Tuesday to be finished this year was supposed to be more relaxed after last years endless auditions and exams ( or it felt like that anyway )

And to you and yours Trumpet! Tbh I think both me and DD will just be glad when it’s all over. And psycho Mum can go back in the box until early December! 😂😂😊

Love the psycho mum folk mama!! I'm the same here !! Oh well ours is on Tuesday too I'm now mostly concerned about finding somewhere in park in Norwich!! Which means we will end up being really early . Good luck for Tuesday too

6 sleeps here.... she had disastrous practice last night and this morning but had a lesson on them this afternoon which seems to have gone positively. Her (new) teacher seems positive and excited- she'd never heard the audition pieces until today (which hasn't been freaking me out at all.... no....) thankfully she's headed suggestions that messing with her embouchure should wait til after!!

How’s everyone bearing up?? 2 more sleeps for us and I’m trying desperately hard to keep psycho Mum in check... 🙈 DD was nailing it up until Tuesday but then had a wobble. Lots of slow practice seems to have put her back on track but I guess it will be what it will be now...

That sounds good. I reckon at this stage occasional vibrato is fine. Better not to force it!

Glad to hear that the F naturals/sharps are sorted :-) . We have had a week off Libesleid to have a go at sorting out passages in the Vivaldi (DS is playing the last movement of the A minor concerto). He plays it fast and out of control with plenty of gusto, but is still enjoying it, which is the main thing.

Taggie, ha! I know what you mean; planting the finger somewhere in between both notes is also a way to hedge bets, which is worse, neither natural or sharp!

We had a lesson yesterday and sorted out the f notes with DD's teacher. As long as she remembers! It is a lovely piece when played in tune.. vibrato was on hold until all the fingerings and bowing were correct, so maybe we will look at that this week. At the moment she does vibrato at the end of phrases, when she remembers, but I'm not sure if that is better than none, or there is an all or nothing approach?

Good news is her teacher has decided to come and accompany DD! I didn't think she would find the time because she has also had to practice the piano part for at least one of the pieces.

This will help DD to be a lot more confident in the audition.

Good luck to everyone yet to audition!

Taggie, ha! I know what you mean; planting the finger somewhere in between both notes is also a way to hedge bets, which is worse, neither natural or sharp!

We had a lesson yesterday and sorted out the f notes with DD's teacher. As long as she remembers! It is a lovely piece when played in tune.. vibrato was on hold until all the fingerings and bowing were correct, so maybe we will look at that this week. At the moment she does vibrato at the end of phrases, when she remembers, but I'm not sure if that is better than none, or there is an all or nothing approach?

Good news is her teacher has decided to come and accompany DD! I didn't think she would find the time because she has also had to practice the piano part for at least one of the pieces.

This will help DD to be a lot more confident in the audition.

Good luck to everyone yet to audition!

Thank you minimusician

I'm sure she will too mini

I'm very much sure she will prove herself! x

kutik next Saturday for my mini. She's very excited and determined to prove herself.... she's a fierce wee beast!

Thank you, Minimusician.

String, that's exactly that. It was one of many things rather than THE THING. It must be more stressful for some, but for me it worked better mentally!

Good luck to trumpetboy for Tuesday. Is there anyone who is auditioning next week?

Well done minibassclef and minikutik

Good luck trumpetboy for Tuesday x

Double, I'm the panicky one usually, so DS's calmness influenced me then.

Due to the circumstances (no teacher, no time), DS picked two easy old pieces. Nothing was new technically, and no more than 5 mins in total! Suppose that also contributed to the calmness. Probably too simple for U11, but hey-ho.