NCO 2018

Kutik, you may find that because you were more relaxed, then your ds probably was too. Or maybe it was the other way round

The change of the feeling towards the NCO audition is from my point of views. I don't know if DS felt differently, or if he was more relaxed than last year like I was. I hope he was!

Ah.., here you are. You guys are all here! I've never joined any thread other than the monthly music one. But DS just had an audition, so please let me join in!

The audition was a last minute notice and DS didn't get any input/help from teachers due to changing teachers and starting the new term late. Nearly withdrew but decided to have a go as DS likes this kind so thought there was no negativeness by trying.

He had his audition at St. Paul Boys last year. It was his very first audition and he had never done any ensemble/orchestra/exam, just group/private lessons at school. So it was a bit intimidating (though they were all friendly). This year, we went to a low key venue (for us, I must add). I think the last minute notice of the challenge and also so many things going on with secondary school tests/interviews/open days made the whole NCO thing somehow less intimidating and a lot more relaxing. So I guess it's not just the venue that we felt so relaxed, but really it was a very friendly place. I met a few parents and children in the waiting room and had a nice chat which didn't happen last year. We will even see one of them very soon again as I invited the daughter to come along to DS's orchestra!

I am happy to share any detail if it helps anyone who is auditioning.

Thanks Waffle. The only trouble is that she does need to blow on the bassoon. For quiet notes you actually need a faster stream of air, apparently, otherwise the notes don't sound at all. I think the teacher has shaken her a bit by telling her (quite correctly) that they may well take someone who may not play so well, but has a big sound over her. She would be devastated if she didn't get in, but her friends did.

If this was one of my two, I would just tell them that the volume won't matter in the slightest. Because it won't.

DD2 is having a bit of a wobble. Not so much the pieces, which have come on lots and her teacher was pleased with last week. She had an extra lesson mid week to make up for one she missed due to her Year 6 trip and they did nothing but sightreading. The teacher was getting a bit frustrated because DD always seems to play it quietly. She gets the notes right, the rhythm right and is good with the switches between bass and tenor clef, but she is naturally shy and hates the thought of making mistakes loudly. Any advice to boost her in the next two weeks? It's doing my head in! I feel a big will be needed at the end of the process....

String if it makes you feel any better ds was doing his usual thing of not getting to the end of one of his pieces at all last week even though it's a piece he has been able to play for ages ( I've now realised he often does this before exams etc) anyway with a few days to go he seems to have sorted himself out !! He also says he couldn't play his trumpet solos for the last nco course properly before the concert either - sometimes I think actually having to perform means their playing goes up a gear - your dd has lots of experience ( even though she's still so young) so hopefully something similar will happen - fingers crossed

DS had his audition today - all went well he says, so just two months to wait now! Good luck to everyone who still has their audition to come

Glad the auditions are all positive experiences so far . Ds seems quite upbeat about his on Tuesday and is looking forward to a day off school

Well done miniTRL

Niggle - sympathies on your accidental issues. Unfortunately DS is hedging his bets at the moment and playing sharps flat and naturals sharp. . How is the vibrato coming on?

Great to hear that the DCs have had positive experiences at the auditions so far. DS's preparation is scanty (late change of piece, little time to practice) so I don't rate his chances. But the experience will be super useful if he does music scholarship auditions etc, a bit down the line.

DD1 had her audition yesterday. Said the panel people were lovely, she made a couple of mistakes in chords but figured they weren't that noticeable, said the sight reading was easy as ever, and came out positive & cheery. She promptly had a mega nosebleed on the way home (always has them when stressed) so I'm guessing that she was much more nervous than her bravado attitude was letting on. She'll be sad if she doesn't make it back in, I think.

Sorry, that's violin!

Romance for the Gadfly, nightmare! G5 piece, but struggling with many F naturals and sharps in different positions - 2nd, 3rd etc. Seriously thinking of a backup. At least we have 3 weeks.

No we didn't, they didn't even look at the music to check what it was.

se22 thanks for asking that - I wondered the same thing this morning!

DD is trying for clarinet again in less than two weeks time... and no preparation has been done again. Maybe she'll twig why she doesn't get in this time...
She has a new teacher, due to school change, of only three weeks, erk. Sport has suddenly become far more important to her than music!

You know I didn't think we did last year though I'm sure I took a copy just in case

Does anyone know if you need to present a copy of the music for the panel at audition as at festivals?

Ha ha, I was accompanying so I know it was a bit more than the 1st two notes but yes it did recover and he was very nervous. Have minimal info re sight reading so who knows. I suspect they will say nice to meet you, try again next year! There was a viola player waiting with us who had got through several years in a row. She spoke very highly of nco.

Ah, Radio, goodish amount of feedback. Wobbly start could just mean 1st and 2nd note and if the rest gathered momento, it's forgivable due to nerves. Only 8! I guess that's the training orchestra, and, others might know better, but the double bass is I think rarer.

My DD is violin and one of many. I think that is why some switch to viola.

Hi, well we survived! The start of the first piece was very wobbly, the second piece was ok but it was the first one which would have been the right grade level for them I think, second one was just an old favourite. He claims sight reading went ok. I don't think he'll get in but it was great experience (pretty much the first time he's done a formal audition) and the panel were extremely nice. He's 8 (y4) and plays double bass btw!

Hope today went well radio! Sorry, I have missed what orchestra/instrument your mini is trying for!