Spring / Summer 2026 music thread

Thanks @horseymumwith a levels this year it feels like the end of applying for all these things to an extent - I always hoped that being post grade 8 would lead to opportunities and find it crazy that it doesn’t seem to. I think we will focus on the uni grades for a while now as the mocks were not stellar and then see what form music takes later on. Good luck to everyone doing audition prep over the summer

@DitheringMusicParent I don't think mine went to music residentials until about age 13, so don't feel too hard on yourselves if you don't think he'd cope yet. There's a lot to cope with when away. We have always found the pastoral staff to be amazing but they won't be able to offer one to one support. When he's a bit older, you could approach an organisation to see how they support children who need extra support. You'll get a feeling from how they answer that.
If you are able to travel to the UK, look at the Benedetti foundation, they do single day workshops or sometimes non residential weekends where they are separated by ability. You could gradually step back the support you provide over a weekend. Lots on here have done NCO, so you could ask people about the support there.

@nearlyfinishedmusicparent sorry to hear that. It feels horrible for them and you. I remember mine getting her second rejection from a different orchestra and it wasn't fun. I think they have to accept that anything with auditions/ competitions are really hard and sometimes feel unfair or the 'wrong' result. I hope he can bounce back from this. The vast majority of those who apply won't get an audition ( they are limited by space and money), so he's in good company. I hope it doesn't put him off trying for hard things. There are so many other opportunities around the country. I think last year people shared some of the different options. For lots of kids, music alongside academics gives a good balance of focus and relaxation. Hopefully he can find something creatively satisfying that fits in with other aspirations and doesn't feel like giving up.

Musically he can cope without input - he can do chamber music, lead the cellos in an orchestra with no help, and can act like an organ scholar with no help; it's just carrying the instrument, getting from one room to another, packing, unpacking, remembering where he has to be next etc that he can't cope with... and if made to try, is then too spent by lunchtime to even be able to eat and just sits there and cries... I've tried to make him more independent the last few Suzuki workshops and it's been miserable.

Congrats all to those through to the next round with NYO. DS9 is reading over my shoulder and asking when he can audition. I pointed out it's a different country, and another 2 years until he can do his first auditions for the national secondary schools' orchestra.

Question about residentials: is there any kind of intermediate level of residential between non-residential Suzuki workshops where Mum carries the instrument, music, stand, bags, etc and practically carries the gormless vague child from one class to the next; and sending the child off to something for a week where they're expected to manage themselves entirely?

DS is too gormless and vague (AuDHD and probably dyspraxic) to sort out keeping to a timetable on his own, let alone managing carrying a cello, music, stand, bag etc (he still can't even get the cello on his back or walk more than a few metres with it). He has got so far beyond the local kids at Suzuki workshops they've become pointless, musically. He would LOVE to go on music residentials in the UK or other, closer-nearby large countries, but he's too immature. He's also nearly at the age where he'd be expected to cope with managing himself and all his belongings. Has anyone else ever had to deal with this?

Not for us either. Second rejection and I don’t think he’ll try again. He’s so much better as a player than last year, we thought there was a chance. Such a shame as he loved Nco and we thought he had a chance with a semi minority instrument. I sometimes think this music thing is a bit too much for us and maybe it’s time to stop spending so much time on it now and concentrate on academics!

NYO yes for DD too. That's already a bonus as far as we're concerned, really surprised and encouraged. She's taking it the way I hoped she would as she'll give her pieces her best shot but mostly treat the assessment day as a fun day out.

@Compsearch they ask if they regularly play in an orchestra of above or below 21 members I think from memory

Congrats to people through to next round of NYO - auditions sound very intense!

DS is doing his little orchestra course at guildhall this week - feeling a bit apprehensive about it as he won’t know anyone but I’m sure he’ll enjoy it once he’s there.

@678socks other than 2 x Benedetti sessions this will be the first time he’s played in an ensemble of any kind so won’t be going down as an experienced orchestral player on his NCO audition form or whatever they ask about…we still haven’t got round to doing the video as DH is away. It’s blatantly going to be a rush at the last minute!

Also even putting a video in, or getting to next round is still an achievement, even if they don't get further. You'll be heartily Sick of the pieces by September!!

Mine finally checked her phone to get her news of getting to next round, think she surprised herself! I've had one in previously so happy to answer any questions I can. The audition day has several parts, your pieces, the excerpts, group playing and some group chatting. A whole day helps them to settle into it. You definitely don't need to be super outgoing in the talking.
It's a big commitment if you get in ( time and finance), I'm sure it's about 40 days in total with inspire things and schools tours as well as the actual residentials. They need to be really organised about studying but they provide study facilities. It was great for my middle one, really developed confidence and independence.
Do impress on them the need to know the excerpts really well, and everything else that's happening around your part. Easy to do now with imslp scores or YouTube with rolling scores.
We built our holidays around residential and concert dates but it was so much fun.

We’re away a lot too and he got through. I’m now a bit ‘Do you have time to do enough music this summer owing to the amount of time you are away doing, um, music?’

Well done too, we haven’t done this before so not sure what to expect ( violin ). I didn’t think she would get through to next round and she doesn’t have a lot of time to practice and prepare as we are away on holiday and she is also doing a weeks residential last week in August!

Can I join? Well done to all those through to NYO next round. I’ve just received an email saying my DD is through to next round of NYO auditions (brass). She’s 13 and first time auditioning so quite new here. We’re currently away in a caravan in the middle of nowhere so can’t access all the clicky links about the audition itself as Dropbox seems to want Wi-Fi to open anything. For those who have done NYO before how have you found the commitment alongside school? - my DD is going into Y10 next year. I know absolutely nothing is guaranteed at this stage, but want to go into this next section of audition eyes open (honestly didn’t think she’d get a second audition).

got the email. Got through to next round only just I think, as they said her excerpts need a bit more dynamics and steady tempo throughout so not sure about next round as this is first time.

We have received now. No for us sadly.

Nothing here either via email. Should it be somewhere in the portal? DD has looked there but nothing to be seen.

Check your account. I can see but was waiting for the email to confirm. Might just have to get her to look!

Hi Sorry to jump onto this thread but is anyone waiting for NYO results today ? had nothing through seems odd as I’m sure it’s today.

No, still waiting. It should be today but
nothing yet.

Has anyone heard from NYO about first round auditions yet?

One of the most talented children we know from JD was also back desk in NCO.

Love the comments on back desk. DD was always back desk at LSSO as the conductor said he didn't trust anyone else to watch as closely. Not sure her choirmaster would have said the same.... She was also the one who was always popping up to play any weird keyboard instrument going.

Also love how they make use of their multi-instrumentalists, with various players popping over for a bit of super impressive piano playing, and one or two other more exotic combos of string instrument plus something random that was needed for a piece or two.

The leadership rotations at the weekly residentials are something I love about NCO. One concert DD's section entirely reversed order between the first half and the second half. I've think I've also spotted a section that rotated after every piece. It's fun, and it gives them the chance to experience different perspectives (and realise how much harder it actually is at the back!). Can certainly believe there is some style matching, from what DD says they try out all sorts of things over the week. She loves a bit of choreo, and has on more than one occasion found herself on front desk for those pieces :)