NCO 2019

‘NCO auditions over a thousand 7-14 year olds and identifies 600 young musicians to form 11 orchestras: five age-banded national symphony orchestras and six symphonic mixed-age regional orchestras.’

Waffle - no, it’s 600 for 5 age banded plus associates on the website; already adjusted for no training orchestra

That includes Training Orchestra, which I don't think is happening any more.

Website says 600 places; and they posted thst about 1100 auditioned this year across all instruments.

I think around 500, and a few dozen extras for regionals.

Crazy - I gabbled at her for a bit before saying, 'I'm sorry, how many violins did you say?' and she repeated it very confidently. Maybe a mix-up though and she meant, in total, all instruments.

For how many seats, total?
In that case, no-one should feel they've failed it they don't get in.

It's usually around 1100-1200 children in total trying for nco on all instruments.

1400 violins sounds like a lot of violin auditions, even for all the orchestras. Based on the number of audition slots, they would hardly fill all the seats for the other instruments! I’d take that number with a pinch of salt

Thanks Alwaysplayspiccolo, hopefully she can put it to one side. She is hard on herself when it comes to playing but she doesn't seem to mind being asked at the moment (when she gets the results it may be quite different). No Rupertswife, this is the first time she auditioned, it's all new to us. Good to know that your DS liked it enough to want to apply again. I didn't realised the training orchestra had been cancelled, Decaf, that does make it difficult for the younger ones. The woman that signed us in on audition day said that there were 1400 violins auditioning ... argh! (I was reeling to much to think to ask whether she meant in total or just for the U11s!) Very wise Horseymum, we didn't tell anyone either but the music teacher is very enthusiastic and helped her prepare and I think this is how the head picked up on it. Oh well... it was all very exciting though, especially, for her, the burger and chips that she got out of it afterwards!!

That's tricky putting an audition in the newsletter. Guessing they are proud, but we haven't told anyone in real life so she doesn't have to say she didn't get in! ( Although a friend spotted the music on the stand!).

Ah Bostik that’s sweet of the school but i see how that might be tricky if she doesn’t get in. It’s very likely my ds won’t get in because under 10s takes kids from year 3, 4,and 5 so very tough as a child in year 3. The lady at audition said it’s the toughest one to get into since the training orchestra got cancelled. So I’ve been trying to manage his expectations realistically. Hopefully that works

DS2 is not too invested in the result, thank goodness. If he gets in, he will see it as a nice bonus. It is very competitive, and so he does not have high expectations.

Bostik - that is amazingly insensitive of the school. It should be up to the child, who they tell. DS2 is also going for U11s on violin. Was your DD in U10s this year? If so, she and DS2 might have met

expectation!!

Ah, Bostik, that's tricky. Lovely that her school is supportive and encouraging, but I can understand your DD might feel she has an explanation to live up to.

Thank you Doubleup. It's such a long wait but DD not too bothered, or wouldn't have been but the school got wind of it and put it in the newsletter (that she went for an audition) and now people keep asking her if she got in! So it will be hard for her if she doesn't (which is most likely) and puts the pressure on in a way I'd really rather it wasn't... never mind. It was meant kindly. Luckily though, as you say Decaf at least there are lots of distractions this term!

It’s such a long wait for us too. I thought he’d be distracted by ally the stuff going on at school.. but no.. Ds already asking if he got in......

Trumpet, we received an e-mail near the end of the week after most people had heard with most of the other U11s.

Yes by email and I would imagine over the week k beginning 10th December ( after the London concerts for main and under 13 orchestras) though I guess it might be sooner for younger ones

Last year bostik, the results were e-mailed, but it was in dubs and drabs over the course of a week or so. Nerve jangling!

Hi Everyone! I've only just discovered this thread! Are we emailed the results, or should we expect a letter? I don't know how we will manage the wait until December! My dd auditioned for U11 on violin. We will see... :)

Can't believe all the auditions are done now!
At least they haven't begun pestering about when we'll hear... yet!

For U10 DD2 did a late audition in May of that year (not many bassoon players at that age, so late audition was possible). We only had to wait a couple of weeks. The dd of a friend of mine did a late video audition for U10 last year on cello and heard back in 5 days.

Ds is 7 not 9!
Thanks Double. He came out of the audition room asking if he got in! Hahaha i told him result is in December...