NCO 2019

I have no idea about the relative difficulty of getting in on different instruments - DD is just thrilled to have got in again! What instruments do your DDs play?
If you or any others have U11 DC who are going to Southeasterlies then I would be happy to introduce them to my DD as I think it really helps settling in at the course if they recognise some faces. Also she can tell them more about the course.

Port Regis food being good will be a plus as Ds didn't eat much at Wellington College and that made him v tired I think. He also admitted that it took several days to work out how the showers worked!

Ds did training last year when he was only just 9. He was worried but shared a room with his desk partner from regionals and that really helped. They also helped another younger member of their section to get through. As ds had wobbly times one of the young staff mentored him and taught him coping strategies. He had a phone but in some ways calling us made him feel worse so we back-pedalled on that after the first couple of days. Sadly the room mate from last year didn't get into U10s so ds is wobbling again about the summer but I hope regionals will help.

boys good news about the food. That'll be a big plus point for both DDs!

trumpet well done to your DD for getting in on trumpet, I gather that is especially tough!

My DD did U10s last year and was initially nervous but it helped meeting a few people at regionals and emailing another U10 girl. She then loved the course once she got there - both the musical side and the social side. She did mention that some children had to be reminded to shower and to change into a fresh set of clothes!
She is doing U11s this year (on trumpet) so will probably see your older DD.

DD2 is a real shower dodger!
We've all been there!
I think Port Regis has some of the best food at NCO residentials as well. Admittedly, my DS is not that fussy but he's always impressed with the range of choice and he says the cooked breakfasts are awesome.

Doubleup x-posted with you. (DD2 is 8 but will be 9 soon, DD1 has just turned 11). And yes, we're back to back at Port Regis. That's another thing actually: DDs spend so much time together, it'll be a real shock for them to have 2 weeks apart. But they knew that would be the case and were still up for auditioning. Good to hear of another positive experience

That's really encouraging - thanks, both.

Very relieved to know that there is encouragement to shower DD2 is a real shower dodger!

Hi Eleven, I’m guessing that you’ll be doing back to back weeks then - both at Port Regis? My DD did U10 when she was 9 and was fine. A little homesick on the first night, but there was someone in her room more upset than her and in some ways, cheering the other girl up made it better for her. After that she threw herself into it and the first thing she said to us after the concert was “ I want to do it again next year!” Port Regis is a great location for them and I’m sure they’ll have a ball. I’d echo what has been said above.

They're really well organised on the pastoral side at NCO. There are Social Staff who're typically uni students who are ex-NCO so they remember exactly what it is like to be away from home for the first time. When the kids aren't making music the Social Staff step in and ensure they are eating/showering/sleeping and also organise lots of non-musical activities to minimise the opportunities for homesickness. They play a big brother/big sister role to the kids and I think it's a really good set up. My DS has made so many great friends through NCO and they keep in touch throughout the year on their WhatsApp group. He was helping on of his NCO friends with their maths homework at the weekend

U10’s and u12’s here.
My advice would be phone (if possible so they can call you in breaks- if they are inclined- some kids don’t bother), money for snacks/NCO merchandise during breaks and possibly a small game (top trumps or something) although they have scheduled activities for breaks anyway.
Little ones first time last year, she was 9- she was fine, a little homesick on day 2- but she coped and made some nice friends.

Hello NCO folk,
Newbie here - I've only just discovered this thread (and whole board in fact). My DDs are doing NCO for the first time this year (U10s and U11s). They're v excited but I'm a bit daunted (don't think they've ever been away from home for more than a night before). How old were your DC when they started and did they love it? Any advice for first-timers?

Great news MusicDoc, it's good to hear that there is movement on the waiting list too.

Fantastic news MusicDoc! I hope everyone manages to sort out their logistics - maybe I should be grateful that only one of mine does NCO!

Ha- anyone got a free private jet I can borrow?

Congratulations!

Zak I feel your pain! Private jet?

Thanks doubleup Zak lucky
In previous years I have had 4 separate weekends in the summer taken up by dropping off/picking up from NCO.

This year the Easter courses are in Dorset in the same week, so just 2 weekends (so just need to find somewhere to stay overnight as drop off are on Sat and Sun).
And in the summer their courses are back to back, in the same place (Rossall) with a concert in Manchester - so that just takes up 3 weekends, and at least Manchester and Rossall are close.

I feel very pleased not to have had any absolute clashes... I know sometimes people have had to drop off one child in Dorset at 2pm and then watch a concert in Birmingham at 3pm... and as this is my last year of having two of them in NCO I feel I have managed to get off lightly

I have the same with u10’s and U12’s- same day- one in Dorset, one in Lancashire..... 🤣

That’s great news Musicdoc! Do they have to be in different places at the same time? I haven’t looked beyond U12 dates.

Yeah- MusicDoc!! Congrats to the boy x

Musicdoc, congratulations!!!!! What a wonderful news to receive in a cold January Monday

Thanks busyspinning! Now I just need to get my head around the logistics of having a child in U12s and Main at the same time 

Musicdoc that’s great news !!

Hi all, I thought I'd revitalise this thread and share the news that my cello boy has been offered full membership in Main Orchestra. He was on the reserve list but we were contacted about full membership yesterday. He's over the moon as he has made great friends in the orchestra over the last 4 years so it's nice that he's back in for the final year.