NCO 2018 (continued)

any hoody info yet? The boy wants a hoody.

Yes, you are right Trumpet. They said violin section was full in London and SE. If DD2 played a different instrument, not a violin, she would have been able to change the venue. Oh well never mind..

Now that we finished a new violin teacher hunting, grade exams and 11+/13+ business (with music/sport scholar auditions), we (particularly I!) really need to sit back and relax, though I am quite happy to listen to DD2 (violin) and DS (cello) playing their instruments during the break.

Oh that's a shame orange hav a good half term too . I think this year they were trying to balance all the instruments in the regional orchestras as best they could ( ds plays in easterlies and some instruments weren't at all well represented last year which wasn't great for anyone )

After the long pain, I finally got a reply from NCO, which was great disappointment regarding the venue:(
Anyway, thank you for reading. Have a lovely half term:)

I don't know what to do... I've been asking NCO to change the regional from Easterlies to South Easterlies (because it is much closer to us, I just found out that they have one in Surrey. When applied, I had no doubt to get London Junior with little attention to the second choice, my big mistake as the first time NCO parent!) by emails and phone calls, but they do not.

Last Monday, I emailed them and asked the venue change. No response.
So I called them and asked. A lady said that she would talk to someone in charge. No response.

Two days later, I called the office and asked. A lady (different from the lady on the previous day) said on the phone that she would be able to change and would email me the details later, but she did not email me.

So, I called them up again next day, and asked. Another lady checked and found that we were still in Easterlies on their PC. So she suggested that I should ask them in writing (by email).

I asked the change of venue by email. No response.

Last Friday, I called them again. Someone said that she would tell someone in charge of regionals to help you, but no response....

This is so frustrating as the first SE rehearsal is this coming Sunday.
And now I worry that the person in charge may be out of office because of the half term...

Sorry about the long text. but it would be great if someone could give me your advice about what I could do from now or help me to make sense of this clueless situation.
Thank you.

Yes can’t believe South easterlies is next weekend. We haven’t been sent music or anything, do they just read it when they get there? Hopefully ds will be awake as it’s half term for us this week.

Off to South Westerlies with both kids today. I am wearing jeans, a blue and white shirt, and will have a flower in my hair. I'm also wearing boots because it's too wet for the music trainers! Come and introduce yourselves if you're going... I am very shy and also don't want a repeat experience of last summer (running up to a random stranger and chatting away...)!

Those last few posts are sooooo comforting - thank you!

Glad i’m not the only one with a ds who stares into space during rehearsals/concerts! Yes better to leave and not know how much of that is happening...

Ds does a lot of slumping in his chair and gazing into space ( I have pointed out that this isn't best during a concert ) I guess it's because brass players get lots of rests !!

Michaelh it's a horn player thing! Mine's not a gazer but he's a dedicated dismantler.

I can't bet staying, watching my child gaze around or start dismantling his instrument at random times, or holding it lazily. Much better for my sanity to clear off!

Sounds like it was fun. Am still sad we had to change from London Juniors as the journey would have been so easy. Anyway off to South Easterlies at the end of half term. Am hoping to meet a friend in the area while ds rehearses, do you think they mind if parents don’t stay the whole time?

Good day at London regionals Juniors although less organised than previously due to change of staff. New director did some nice warm ups with kids (and parents) before the conductor began rehearsals.

Hope everyone off to London regionals has s good first rehearsal, esp those new to NCO. We are going to northerlies for a change this year so see some of you in a few weeks 😀

We will be there Orange - we don't stay as ds is far too grown up to want me watching !! but lots of parents do and it's all very friendly .

Hi Windmum and Trumpet - thank you very much for your insights.

DD2 is definitely not an experienced violinist. She hasn't played in an orchestra/emsenble out of her school. Socially, she is not a bubbly, friendly girl and not good at making friends.

Well, the trip to Easterlies seems a must to her...

The first course of Easterlies will be a challenge, because DH is away on his business trip. So I have to be super-organized to take DD2 to Easterlies and to arrange lifts for DD1 and DS to ballet and cricket.
But I made up my mind and will take up the place. Hope to see you, Trumpet;)

Hi Michaelah - we are returnees to u12s too and yes seems some of the pieces seem the same; also dd played Hoedown in the u11s or u10s (i can't remember which). And yes would def be good to see the list as all dd's friends were old enough for u13s or don't have full places this time

Was just having a squint at the under12s Easter course repertoire. My little hornist is one of the re-squad-ed autumn-born gang and I am a bit surprised that quite a bit of the music looks a bit familiar from last year. I am sure they did Finlandia last year and surely did the Arnold Scottish dances ? Perhaps it was the Cornish Dances instead.

Far from the end of the world especially as Finlandia is such a great pieces for horns, but I was a bit surprised.

I wish they would get the participant lists out so we could see who he knows from last year and from school for room allocations requests !

I would agree with Windmum especially if you haven't had a lot of orchestra or ensemble playing experience before. Ds knew no one in NCO so it was good to make a few friends and recognise some friendly faces when he turned up at the Easter course. Ds goes to easterlies, the conductors great maybe see you there ( and if you are coming by train the venue is easily accessible by bus from the town centre)

I would say worth it for the following reasons

Making friends
Playing in a big ensemble
Tuning
Counting rhythms
Counting bars test!

Makes the course less daunting and makes them much more prepared and aware if expectations. We wouldn’t miss it!

Hello. I am in a dilemma whether or not we should take DD2 to Easterlies which is about one and half hour train ride from us.
Our first choice was London Junior but we missed it!

For DD2, this is the first NCO experience (U11) and i wanted her to make some friends before the summer residentials but without a car it will be hard (our car is in full swing in the weekends with her older sister and brother).

This may have been someone who asked the same question before, but I would like to ask it to current parents. Is it worth taking up the place?

The repertoire list for mains is on facebook now, looks good.