NCO grade levels

Having had one do projects whilst at a saturday music school I completely understand this. In her case, one of her two individual music teachers offered to do the lessons at a different time so she didn't miss them (but she's particularly committed and really really into NCO so that was her choice). It felt financially painful even with missing the other lessons and ensembles and paying for something else so I completely get it.

In dd's case though, Projects I think directly led into her getting a place in the main NCO the next year (certainly her online audition wasn't great but they knew her by then so I guess knew she could cope). Although she turned this down, it really improved her confidence and she feels more confident to be where she is now at specialist school because she was offered the place. She also met a tutor who was a huge fan of the school she is at now and it definitely helped open doors there too.

Just another example of the different paths that come from making different choices I think!

@TheTurn0fTheScrew that's the same conclusion I came to for DS too this year. A non residential 2 weekends option doesn't feel enough to give up Sat music school for so we've decided to pass. If he didn't do an orchestra elsewhere we would have gone for it though as sure it's great experience

After projects, which orchestras would you recommend?

@lolo99 unfortunately Saturdays are when all of DC2's music happens. She's out for the whole day (on site 8.45-16.30) including her instrumental lesson and an orchestra that plays at a high enough level that I don't think she's missing out too much.

She did projects in its first year before she was busy on Saturdays, and really enjoyed it, but at the time she didn't have access to higher-level ensembles.

It's only two weekends - one in spring and one in summer. Could you manage those to accept your projects place?

Congratulations to all those who got places! I'm sure they'll have a blast.

Congrats northernDS, and better luck next time northernDD and TheTurnoftheScrew DC2.

& it's a yes for DD u12. At least we can all make plans one way or other now - job for half term to get things booked!

It was a no for DC2 as well. She was offered projects instead but we can't do term time weekends.

Sod's law applies- she was offered a place last year which we couldn't take up due to clashes. This year we held off booking things to avoid a clash but no place offered. She's got a place for a different residential at Easter so I think that will soften the blow.

DS got projects rather than main - but he plays flute and isn't grade 8+ so wasn't expecting anything else - more surprised he got a place at all. If i'd had to guess which of my kids would get a place I'd have guessed the other way around. Maybe they prioritise older ones too for projects places?

Emails out now. DS (12) got in, DD (10) didn't. Think i'll tell them both later...

That's quite funny. DC2 didn't take up her place last year due to schedule clashes so at least I was spared that false alarm 😁. TBH neither she nor I really mind if she gets in or not, but need to sort out Easter and summer plans, and RSVP to another course she's been offered, so I'm also getting a bit impatient now.

Email from NCO and .... it's thanks for you 2023 membership lol. It did say results emails "just around the corner", whatever that means.
Good luck 🤞 🤞 to all waiting.

Desperate to know. We’ll be projects London IF DC gets in

True 😆 I feel like a sad case. Good luck to your daughter.

U12 viola. She's done Projects before and they should send emails either way.
I don't think we're quite at keep pressing refresh stage yet, they only closed late auditions last friday...

What has your DC applied for? Mine is under 12 brass.

Also waiting as I need to book a summer holiday!! I keep refreshing my emails. Do they email if you haven't got a place as well or just leave you hanging?

Right, now I'm officially jittery as it's around when they sent them out last year. What do we reckon, end of the month? We have summer holidays to book!

Hmmm hadn't realised that. I guess it might be a few weeks then. I'll stop refreshing my inbox.😅

Not sure but the last date for submission of late auditions for certain locations / instruments is Fri 13th at 9am so would imagine it will be after that.

Does anyone know when we might hear this year NCO audition results? Waiting slightly anxiously...!

Interesting - thanks for the clarification. I think overall it looks like there is wider inclusion with this new approach which is great- but it's obviously not a 'first training' orchestra either. Nice that they don't have to wait to be grade 8 standard though.

Ps northern no, not separate groups by age in Projects. There have been four mixed age mixed ability Projects orchestras, sorted broadly by location. Of course as older members can apply to nationals, it's heavily weighted to primary age.

It all changed post pandemic. Before that they also had u10 and u11 age groups with residential, and they had Regionals which was more like Projects in being based on location and mixed age, but included some national age group members and some extra Associate Members. By making Projects not overlap with Nationals they are including more players overall I think.

Think it was always the case that you would be more likely to get an Associate Member slot if you were younger so it was a kind of feeder into the national orchestras. Maybe they made that more explicit with projects? (I wasn't paying much attention to the suggested grades grid except DD relevant row.)

There were certainly a number of very tiny string players, I don't know how old they actually were. Some kids are playing from 3 or 4 using methods like suzuki, so it's not that unusual progress for those to get to grade 4ish by 8. Much more impressive if they started at a more usual 6 or 7.

I don't think they're expecting most kids who do Projects to join at 8. It's more they need to set some lower limit or there will be five year olds who turn up. It's incredible what some very small children can do with a musical instrument.

@Bearyinlove I think that there are projects groups for each age group. The lower grades at the more junior levels is a relatively recent thing i think - pretty sure that in the past the overall request was much higher but to widen participation they've realigned things. There is a minimum level that they need to be able to play at really to play orchestral music and perhaps for strings that is around grade 4.