NCO 2026 | Mumsnet

Wishfulmasterchef · 2025-09-05T14:14:52+00:00

Is now the right time to start the conversation? NCO 2026 audition results?

thirdfiddle · 01/01/2026 18:01

Hi to new people. DD is in under 14s this year and can't recommend the whole thing too highly, she has had the time of her life with NCO and is over the moon to have one last year. I hope your DC enjoys it as much as she does!

Hi 678, Weekends are mixed ages, with the same programme running in four different locations. It'd be age 8-13 on 31st aug 2026 to audition in '26. So year 4 now would be great. It's the residential weeks which are by age groups, but that's later - the youngest one is audition in year 6 to participate in year 7.

678socks · 01/01/2026 16:50

This is for weekends

678socks · 01/01/2026 16:46

Just found this thread, what are the various age groups? I have a child who would like to audition this year 😂 and is currently in year 4.

DeafLeppard · 16/12/2025 13:58

Didn't realise there was a thread for this! DC2 is doing Orchestral weeks in North London this year. First time for us:)

Doodlingsquares · 05/12/2025 06:59

northerngoldilocks · 25/10/2025 04:00

@Doodlingsquaresno, this is the first time she’s got a place .

Ah congrats as violin is so competitive!

Doodlingsquares · 05/12/2025 06:58

Yes I'm afraid so! At some point they'll send an invitation to a launch event that's an online zoom thing usually some time in Jan and after that you get login details sent for the 'member website'. There's usually some sort of online pre-event on zoom that's notionally for the kids in the orchestra to meet each other and pastoral staff who will look after them while they are there.

Tangle02 · 04/12/2025 22:27

Ooh - late to the party the party, but glad to have found you. Very excited as DS has a place in U14s this year, the first year he's properly applied (started the process a couple of years ago but refused to do a video...)

Not having done it before I'm not quite sure what to expect in terms of communications? We confirmed the place and paid the bill and got a "we'll be in touch soon" reply, but since then we've heard nothing - is that normal?

northerngoldilocks · 25/10/2025 04:00

@Doodlingsquaresno, this is the first time she’s got a place .

Doodlingsquares · 24/10/2025 22:20

@northerngoldilocks has yours done nco before?

northerngoldilocks · 21/10/2025 21:12

She’s strings - violin. How about yours?

Hatty999 · 21/10/2025 20:57

northerngoldilocks · 21/10/2025 13:49

Just found out DD has a place - she was waitlisted for u13 residential so joining in!

congratulations. What instrument is your daughter on?

Doodlingsquares · 21/10/2025 16:04

Cheeseandquince · 21/10/2025 14:59

A logistics question for those who have done NCO before: when roughly is arrival time on the first day of NCO? Just trying to make plans for next Easter alongside dropping DD off at the U12 residential as it seems to start on Easter Sunday!

Mid to late afternoon eg 3.30, 4pm

Cheeseandquince · 21/10/2025 15:15

thirdfiddle · 21/10/2025 15:09

It's been a window around something like 3-4pm.

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Thanks so much, that’s super helpful. Hopefully still time for an Easter egg hunt then 😊

thirdfiddle · 21/10/2025 15:13

And yay northern, congrats to her!

thirdfiddle · 21/10/2025 15:09

Cheeseandquince · 21/10/2025 14:59

A logistics question for those who have done NCO before: when roughly is arrival time on the first day of NCO? Just trying to make plans for next Easter alongside dropping DD off at the U12 residential as it seems to start on Easter Sunday!

It's been a window around something like 3-4pm.

Cheeseandquince · 21/10/2025 14:59

A logistics question for those who have done NCO before: when roughly is arrival time on the first day of NCO? Just trying to make plans for next Easter alongside dropping DD off at the U12 residential as it seems to start on Easter Sunday!

chocolateisnecessary · 21/10/2025 14:48

Fab news!

Cheeseandquince · 21/10/2025 14:44

That’s brilliant news @northerngoldilocks! Congrats to your DD, she must be thrilled!

northerngoldilocks · 21/10/2025 13:49

Just found out DD has a place - she was waitlisted for u13 residential so joining in!

Ubertomusic · 16/10/2025 00:22

thirdfiddle · 15/10/2025 22:15

Way back when I was the grade 6 who got into things the grade 8s at my school didn't. So I wouldn't assume based on a grade or two (for other readers), but you likely know something about your DCs playing quality more than just the grade and I'll take your word on that one.

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We knew roughly a third of the section via various other projects or just as friends so we knew not just formal grades but the actual standard, music is a small world. DD auditioned for a specialist school half a year later and got a scholarship so I guess it kind of confirmed the standard on both instruments. The choice was definitely between an "oversupplied" instrument and a "not-so-rare-but-useful" one.

NCO does not look for grades only, that's true. DD auditioned with non-graded and not very difficult pieces this time, I'd say grade 7-ish level though difficult to tell. Her technique is good though as she was grade 8 a while ago and has been focussing on improving technique since then, not on grades or diplomas. I thought it would be an interesting experiment to see if she gets in with not so challenging pieces, and apparently technique is more important than level which is logical as orchestral sound requires solid technique.

thirdfiddle · 15/10/2025 22:18

Lol, hoodies are always a thing! Wondering if there will be a new concert uniform too with the rebrand.

thirdfiddle · 15/10/2025 22:15

Ubertomusic · 15/10/2025 16:32

It's just on paper. There were quite a few string players one or two grade lower than DD so she would have certainly got in had she not auditioned on brass as well 😁

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Way back when I was the grade 6 who got into things the grade 8s at my school didn't. So I wouldn't assume based on a grade or two (for other readers), but you likely know something about your DCs playing quality more than just the grade and I'll take your word on that one.

Cheeseandquince · 15/10/2025 22:08

Well done to all these young musicians for their great results! They’ve all done brilliantly 👏🏻

DD was so excited when I told her she got into U12s! I still can’t quite believe it! I also told her about NCO hoodies … they’re still a thing right?? She can’t wait to order one 😃

Thanks also for the reassurance about pastoral care. My DD was initially v worried when she realised it’s residential but greatly relieved when I told her how much fun all the kids have and how well they’re looked after. She’s a social butterfly so think she’ll be in her element!

Hatty999 · 15/10/2025 20:29

Yes for under 13s. Phew. Well done everyone. The pastoral is great and your children will love it- if they haven't been before and are worried.

Hatty999 · 15/10/2025 20:23

Ubertomusic · 15/10/2025 13:07

Do you remember what pieces they played in U12?

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yes Bizet, beauty and the beast....all quite high level orchestral pieces really.