NCO 2019

Sorry, for some reason this thread isn't appearing in my 'threads I'm on', so I do apologise if it seems like I'm ignoring posts. I saw this in active

Echoing others teabiscuit, tone and general musicality is what's important. Good sight reading too.
One of DDs friends didn't get into violins U11 last year (G8, JD etc) despite having been in twice before, he's good, but was probably spread a little thin with school entrance exams at same time.

My two had their auditions now. DD was happy with her's (but she only got into U12s last year from reserve list!); does it help if last year's tutor was the assessor this year?
DS came out smiling, which is a win for us- he never performs, or does exams, due to anxiety. He begged to be put in for NCO but I didn't actually expect him to be able to go through with it. Don't fancy his chances, but I'm glad he did it for the experience.
Roll on early December!

Good luck trumpetboy!

And yes - teabiscuit - best to play safe [note to self for next year!]. Less stressful as well!

Thank you Patrick . In the end he went in the right age band orchestra - which was a big relief to him he wanted to be with his friends !! However I think he is nervous this year because of last years sightreading - it unnerved him somewhat so we’ll see he’s had an amazing 2 years so one more would just be the icing on the cake really ( it’s not as though he doesn’t have other music stuff going on !!)

Trumpet, if my memory is correct it wasn't like miniTrumpet didn't do well but as he was so capable he was challenged with harder task unexpectedly. He had to do what he didn't need to do for his age section and as he managed to impress the panel he was put in a year older orchestra when he was eligible to two age groups. I know trumpet gets super competitive at this stage as you say less seats. And I know he's juggling so many duties at the moment. But I feel he'll do well. Best of luck for tomorrow.

Teabiscuit good luck to your dd . I think it’s better to play grade 6 pieces well than try something harder . They are also looking for good tone etc . Ds plays trumpet so it’s different ( and the standard isn’t as high for younger orchestras - but competitive as they don’t have many seats !!) but he has always auditioned on pieces that he can play confidently. Definitely work on the sight reading - I always end up doing this with ds as his teacher doesn’t often have time . Having said that they know what they are looking for as ds didn’t t do especially well on on piece of sight reading last year and still got a place . Ds is auditioning tomorrow for main . I have no idea if he's good enough for main orchestra we’ll see ...
Oh and they don’t all have expensive instruments and live in the south and go to jds etc - we don’t !! But lots do ( it’s been quite an eye opener for ds - but in a good way I think )

Just catching up on the thread. Glad the sight reading has been clarified - I had noticed that prepared sight reading was not included in the info, but had wondered if that was an oversight. I’ll be able to tell DD2 so she doesn’t get thrown on the day.

Not long to go now, but I’m not sure how much more practice we’ll get out of her. Band practice tonight, but her accompanist is coming to the music centre to do a run through with a few dc, so at least she will get a good focussed half hour. Hockey match tomorrow and an all day music course on Sunday with not much option to miss as they have 3 sessions a year as part of the gifted and talented provision. Her sister is playing in her scholars’ concert on Monday and I’m not sure how the timings for that work and then we have run out of time! There will be a collective sigh of relief when it’s all over, whatever the outcome, but getting in this year will be a long shot coming so soon after the secondary school start.

Hi Tea! We are not auditioning this year for one reason or another but have for the last two. My DD (violinist) would be U12 this time. Our previous two auditions she has been just on the lower end of the grade standard listed on the NCO website. Each time she has gotten a reserve place and associate membership (Regionals). She is now playing at a solid G7+ standard and I think this year would have been her best chance yet, although I wouldn't have been totally confident of a full place as the standard is very high. As others have said, it's quality of playing rather than difficulty of pieces, so better to play G6 confidently than struggle with something too hard. Most of the kids we know in U12's are around G7-8+. But that doesn't mean your DD won't get a place because I think the 'thing' they look for is hard to define. Getting a balance of geographics and demographics certainly comes into it too, they need complete regional orchestras as well as good age banded national ones.

Ps I'm afraid we are in the southern/JD/expensive instrument club 😘

It sounds like we are on the same page, Zak.

I would say better to play a grade 6 like a grade 8 er, than play a grade 8 piece like a grade 6 er-
It’s not what grade it is- but how it’s played- as my dd violinist tells me.....often! 🤣

Oops, sorry forgot to answer to your question! DS was asked if he was in NCO before, that's all. Some seem to get asked more. But I think it's more like an attempt to make kids feel at ease or just social gesture so I don't really think it matters what you answer.

No apologies needed, teabiscuit (your name makes me hungry by the way)! Come to our monthly music thread, you'll find me asking many many questions nonstop...

I would say you may like to be careful about attempting harder pieces. DS was playing some complicated pieces before summer, but I don't think he would use any of them for the audition. I don't know the grade as he doesn't play out of exam books, but he seems to be going to play something simpler than what he's been playing for study purpose. Something simple enough for him to pick up without spending too much time on and without struggle.

Having said that, I remember someone on the past NCO thread claiming they tried ambitious pieces and got in. So please take my word as an example. Your DD's teacher would be the best one to judge, I suppose. Does your DD's teacher have any experience in NCO? If so she/he may be able to give you more pin-point advice on which piece to go for.

Northerners here, auditioning for U12’s violins and U10’s percussion.

'Plenty/a lot of G8' may have been a bit of exaggeration, sorry, as I don't know the exact number or proportion but at least I know a few G8 who couldn't get in. I don't know why, but they may have passed the exam but may not be at the standard yet (very common) or they may be weak at sight reading. I don't know the level of sight-reading they'll hand DCs at audition, but better to prepare this side of skills as it's quite important. I don't know your DD's level but perhaps start with the material she can cope easily at first and work up from there with a help of teacher? DS played pieces that were nowhere near G8 for U11 (he hadn't done any grade in fact). He has improved a lot since then, so I am not sure if they could see it. He played something he could play without any struggles - I think it may be better than playing something out of your ability.

Hi teabiscuit, I don't have lots experience with NCO, but I have a violinist who is auditioning for U12 and he's just done his first time residential for U11 this summer.

Have you looked at NCO's website where you can see some guidelines of expected levels/grades for each orchestra? People may think NCO is full of G8+ musicians but what I thought from my experience was the guidelines on the website were actually quite spot-on. Plenty G8 kids can't get in. So don't worry about the grade thing. No all the children have fantastic violins neither, they are probably well maintained though (strings that match to the violin, good set-up, etc). Sight-reading seems to be very important as for any orchestra. So you may want to ask her teacher to give her some tips and perhaps focus on them a bit in the run-up to the audition? I know quite a few brilliant violinists from north who attended NCO with DS this summer. Usually you get the result early Dec.

Given the number of residentials held in Cumbria and Lancashire I don't think there is a North/South divide!

I'm a Perc Mummy so I'll let a Violin Mummy respond to your specific queries - we're an endangered species so Perc is not particularly competitive!

No worries! Just replying to you now ...

Thank you Boyskeepswinging! I'll PM you more specific questions - I have lots. No idea about percussion as I'm a string player myself. Much appreciated.

And good luck, obvs!