NCO 2018 (continued)

Hello, for those going to South Easterlies today apparently the new M&S food hall near the hall is now open but not sure if that will affect the parking or whether it has it’s own. We have made little cakes but no icing sugar in the house so off to the shops this morning!

I asked Ds about this today none if the under 13s have any music yet - last year they didn't get any for the easter course !!

No, one year we didn't receive any at all, but it's usually a couple of weeks before.

Hi we're new to all of this, but just wondering if we should have already received the music for the April residential trip.

That's useful to know - thanks! Yes, I could really do with finding out the next regionals dates soon too - organising transport/babysitting for the rest of the DC is always so difficult.

I just gave them a quick call (we have a wedding reception the night before and it'll be a 3 hour drive for us!). They haven't got timings for this year yet but last year they asked the U10s to arrive between 2-3pm.

I also asked about tickets for the concert and they said they usually allocate 4 tickets per child (and that you can ask for more but they will only be given if available).

Hope they will give the dates for next regionals soon as I have a few things to confirm and plan!

I can't see anything on the paperwork about when it starts (just checked) - I just assumed they would let us know at some point.

For the U10s NCO course in the summer, can anyone remember and/or send me a link to where it says what time we have to get them there on the first day? I can only find details saying the concert is 11am the following Sunday. (I remember seeing timings on the application form for audition but can't find that now.)

Hi Three! We will have to get both mutes for DD - she plays in a wind band so hasn't needed one so far.
I really hope that I find out tomorrow which part DD is playing!!! It would certainly make the practising easier.

I wish they didn't have so many breaks but that's the nature of orchestral trumpet playing . Ds said the harps got to go out for a bit as they weren't playing in one piece . Luckily on the residential courses a lot of time is spent in sectionals so they do other playing as well as preparing the music for the course ( the strings always have such a lot to prepare they don't have this luxury !!)

Wasn't the only one! But not even possible for strings as they had few gaps in playing. There were four enormous harps with four much smaller mini musicians!

Yes it's the Harry Potter that Ds needs . I've told him about looking at his phone !! But he says they have too much waiting around to do and have to wait a lot . I'm not impressed !! He'd never do it in other rehearsals it wouldn't be allowed . I guess they're only children though . Hope to see you in March we can't make April either

Hi everyone,

Shame the South Westerlies was cancelled, but completely understandable! We have missed going up to Lincolnshire this weekend for a lesson and Oasby Music group as I just couldn't imagine the A1 being a comfortable trip. Their public ensemble concert is in two weeks, so will have to practice at home.

Trumpetboysmum, I saw your mini at Easterlies - it wasn't hard as he was the only trumpet! I saw that the brass section had mobiles with them and were checking them when not needed. I guess they have some waiting around while the conductor works the strings! I would ask for the music as your mini has quite a strong role and I'm sure they would like him to be on top of everything. May see you in March. Having to miss April as DD has the opportunity to do a Stringcredibles workshop in Lincs. I think this would be good for her as it covers how to communicate with the audience in the way you act/talk/play. This is an area she really struggles with because of her stammer. Her last school performance started with her raising her bow to play before she had finished walking to the stand. Anything to avoid speaking, so she didn't even introduce the piece. I felt a bit sad for her as she practised several times saying the words beforehand, but just couldn't in the end.

DD is second violin at Easterlies and really enjoyed it. All the music is downloaded and the only one we can't access for practice is Harry Potter.

Yes I know what you mean, I thought that at first too! Great you've got the mute thing sorted.

TrumpetVoluntary the only pieces not available to download as sheet music on the list were E.T. and The Sound of Music. I've printed all the others off. Or do you mean an audio clip?

Three, I meant Sound of Music! DS was playing Mary Poppins medley on the piano earlier so it must have stuck in my head!!

Hi Kutik73. I haven't seen Mary Poppins on the list for South Easterlies but E.T. and The Sound of Music feature.

Don't all the orchestras do at least one more modern " accessible" piece? Last year Easterlies did Raiders March this year they are doing Harry Potter - good trumpet part. Ds is v happy

I am banging my head on the wall... E.T. and Mary Poppins? Really? It would have been DS's heaven. Why didn't I choose SE...

Thanks Trumpetboysmum.

The music specified mutes which my DS has (straight and cup) and I think TrumpetVoluntary was hoping to find out about mutes from DD's trumpet teacher. Do you have mutes for DD dominostein?

Does the music specify mutes or were you thinking about the course in the summer. I can always ask ds and see what he thinks you might need though he does like he a mute ( gets one each birthday and Christmas) and now has a small hold-all full !!

TrumpetVoluntary, did you manage to find out about mutes?

TrumpetVoluntary and dominostein, did you manage to download and print off the music ok? DS had a practise of the Saint-Saens and Mussorgsky this evening. We're excited to see there is some John Williams on the programme, especially E.T.! I took him to the John Williams prom last year and it was amazing, very inspiring.