NCO 2019

Excellent!

That's fantastic news, Waffle. Hopefully it'll motivate Goo into action!
Success for my DS in Main - yay! Great to be able to complete his NCO journey.

That's lovely for Goo, Waffle. Hope Rara isn't too disappointed.

Associates (clarinet) for Rara and Under 13s Flute for Goo.

Ah, DD was offered associates only but unfortunately all the regionals are too far for us, especially now she has JD on Saturdays too.
Last year she was offered associates but was obviously first reserve as she got offered U12 in January... so I will hold out hope.
It's probably a good thing- less travel, and her JD fees have pretty much wiped out all our savings. She will be disappointed, but has more than enough to keep on with musically.

Many congratulations to all those who got places! And as folkmama said- as one door closes another opens

Well done string, quite a week!

Well done all u13’s so far

There is teesvalley youth orchestra they are absolutely fantastic

U13s coming in now. Glad to have a place as DD was in years after the audition as she said completely messed up her sight reading. But really miss the feedback. It was so special.

@Doubleup Thank you!

We've just received word that we have a place in the U13s. Child will be thrilled!

tea I don't know the North East well, but have you heard of www.northumbrianstrings.co.uk I believe they hold regular workshops, and their director is/used to be an NCO violin tutor.

Well done to all those that got their places and commiserations to the others... the standard sounds unbelievably high so they’ve all done well. Still waiting here, DD not expecting to get a place but you can’t help hoping a teeny bit!

Fantastic MusicDoc- My dd will be pleased!

Congrats Musicdoc! Not what you were expecting!

It's been a long nervous wait but I received an email 10 mins ago that my DD has been offered a place in U12s on the violin. This is quite a surprise after being in for Training x2 and U10s, as she was only offered an asociate place last year. She was desperate to get back in, so picked up the viola in June this year and auditioned on both instruments. We were expecting a viola place (if any) but has been offered a violin place. Hope this offers some hope to those who are thinking of not reauditioning - although I agree there are lots of wonderful opportunities to play out there outside of NCO. My children enjoy the social aspect of music mostly - and are both adamant they won't become professional musicians. Like threefun I am now awaiting Mains results for my DS cello.

Hi all. Just popped on to see whether results were starting to come in as was getting impatient refreshing emails! Have enjoyed catching up on everyone's news - congratulations to all with places and for those without it is so definitely worth trying again. teabiscuit22 we are also from the North East and DS (cello) has had 4 fantastic years in U10s, 11s, 12s and 13s - we're currently nervously awaiting Mains results. In his age band there has always been a little group from the NE/N Yorks - small compared to the numbers from other areas, but there all the same - and I imagine it is the same in the other age bands. DS attends state school and whilst he has private cello lessons, does not attend a JD. We've managed to find fantastic teaching and opportunities for orchestral playing in the NE. Is your DC playing in an orchestra locally or involved in any of the Sage programme? Do feel free to PM me if I can help point you in the direction of any of the opportunities which we have found up here. Good luck to all still awaiting results! (returns to nervously refreshing emails)

I totally understand the disappointment - it's really tough! But, do explore other opportunities - missing out on a full place turned out to be a massive blessing in disguise for us last year.

Tea as folk says, there is quite a lot of financial support available for young musicians. This website seems like a good place to begin.

www.helpmusicians.org.uk/get-advice/funding-careers/young-musicians-under-18/young-musicians-under-18

Hi Josamac! yes, it's amazing how fast they make the transition isn't it!? She's had it since Easter and is already not far behind where she is on violin!

Folkmamma, as mum of a U11 viola player I would agree. Talented though my girl is I suspect she wouldn’t have got in on the violin. She loves the viola though and it’s richer sound. Lovely instrument.
Good luck - I was amazed how fast the transition across was when my DD changed 2 years ago.

Hi Tea - just wanted to say, that not all of the kids in NCO are at music school or have access to specialist training - DD and her BFF have both had a combination of associates / full membership in the last two years and they both go to regular schools and have just had regular private lessons up until recently. My DD has now gone on to JD, but I would say that has been a consequence of her involvement with NCO and other high level organisations which have accelerated her rate of development to a point where she could then access more specialist training. It's certainly not convenient - we have to travel 2.5 hours each way and we've had to forgo holidays and other luxuries to be able to afford it. There is actually quite a lot of funding out there in terms of bursaries, although we are in the 'squeezed middle' and don't qualify for it so have had to find other ways of funding it. But I know many families who get pretty much full funding because of their circumstances. For the very gifted, there are also scholarships (again, not us!!). Not 'having a go', just trying to give reassurance that these 'elite' organisations are accessible, but it admittedly takes a certain amount of tenacity to get there sometimes.

Don't give up - they obviously saw something in your DC to send the 'non-standard' reply. I do think they had a lot of violinists audition this year. And I know many of this year's U12 violinists from previous years and other courses - it's genuinely a particularly competitive year group. My DD has recently picked up viola and we will be trying on that from now on as the odds are much better!