Anyone auditioning for NCO?

[Wafflenose]

Just that, really. I thought we could do with a supportive thread!

It will be DD1's first time, and it will be on her second instrument (flute), which I know will be very competitive. We are well aware that she might not get in, but this is possibly her best shot - it would be her first and last chance at Under 10s. She'll still be 8 when she auditions, but will be 9 by the end of the year. I did ring up a few months ago to check what the standard is likely to be, and the person I spoke to wasn't sure yet, as it's a new orchestra. He said probably similar to Training Orchestra. As a lot of 8 year olds won't have started the flute yet (or only just started), he said it would be worth her while trying out this year. I imagine this window of opportunity will slam shut in a year or two though.

If you've had a child who's done it before, what instrument do they play, and what level were they when they got in?

yes I'm working out the probabilities as well, anyway suppose need to wait and be patient. my DS her best and thats all I could have asked for I am SO proud of her whether she gets in or not!!

wishing u all the best xx

DD went for her audition on cello on Sunday (first time for us). She is 8, so we are going for the Training Orchestra. It was a good experience for her - she was quite excited about the video camera. Now for the waiting game...

I hope everyone else's auditions have gone well..

Hi Dinasour in my belly, Ahh that's lovely..... 8 years old that's amazing!! so the wait begins.

How did her audition go?

I rang the NCO they said I should hear by end of Nov!! I am keeping my expectations low for us because this is our 1st time as well, My husband and I do not play or read music. we started DD with music lessons for 2 and half years ago with the flute and Violin after she begged to learn. The competition is so high on these instruments. I only thought it would be good experience for her and kept her practising!!

well wait and see!! x

My DD has her 1st audition tomorrow - going for the U-13's. She plays the violin but hasn't taken a grade in a while. Can anyone shed some light on what they have to do other than perform and sight read? Is there an interview as well? We don't know anyone who has ever auditioned so are a bit in the dark. Thanks for this thread - been a very useful read. H

Hi, mine is little so was trying for Under 10s, but I'm pretty sure the procedure is the same - 2 contrasting pieces, 1 prepared bit of sight reading (5 minutes to try it out) and 1 easier unseen bit in the room - 30 seconds to try fingerings out but not play. It's all filmed. Good luck to your DD!

Thanks Waffle - that is very useful. My DD went for an audition for something else and was caught on the hop by questions about composers, the character of the pieces she played, her musical achievements this year and the pieces she is currently playing in orchestra/ensemble. She wasn't prepared at all and (consequently) is worrying quite a bit about being asked all those sorts of things tomorrow during her audition.

It shouldn't happen! They're not meant to ask that kind of thing at all, and if they do, they'll just be being friendly.

I've just discovered this thread - my two auditioned for the first time this year - DS for the U10s on cello, DD for Training on violin. Both of them were not nervous until they got into the audition room and saw the camera! Patiently waiting for results now - although very pleased already as DD took her G5 violin exam 2 days after the audition and yesterday we heard she got a distinction

Wow music doc - your dd might be in under10s rather the training with that result already. What grade is ds on cello? (Dd also auditioned under 10 on cello)

Janet41- she turned 7 in August so I was told to expect Training.
Ds is doing his G4 in Dec - he decided last minute to enter (we put the entry in on 29th Sept) and he was only given his pieces mid-Sept so not too hopeful but it was a good experience for him! How about your dd on the cello?

Hi your DD sounds very talented. Dd is 8 nearly 9, and is taking G5 in dec; she was an associate and reserve this year for training orchestra this year.

Good luck to your DD janet41! Did she enjoy the regional orchestra?

Music doc - absolutely loved it; would be v sad not to o the regionals again.

how we all holding up? A couple of weeks to wait!! xx

Hi everyone, just noticed this thread on mums.net. My DS auditioned on violin mid October, he feels it went well with just a few slips but we are all finding the wait really quite stressful! He worked hard- he is certainly not up to the standard of some of the other children mentioned in this thread ( they sound very talented), he is just starting his grade 4 pieces and is 8 years old but is so desperate to get in. I do understand why the wait is so long. I hope everyone else is bearing up! X

Banofee you DS sounds just right for the training orchestra? Dd had taken g2 before she auditioned last year and she got an associate place and reserve for the training orchestra.
Butterfly2 - I think we have just under 3 weeks to wait now (at least for the younger orchestras)!

Thanks Janet, that's good to hear. He is desperate to get in and meet like minded children who share his passion for music. Fingers crossed! X

Anyone else getting twitchy?

I spoke to someone at HQ last week (just needed to ask a question about something else) and they said they were 2/3 through moderation and are hoping to post letters out during the first week of December, so we should hear by the second week I would think. She said it was 'looking good' for running an Under 10s orchestra, although not 100%.

I think MiniWaffle has forgotten about it.

Just popping up to say good luck to all of them. Twenty years ago I just missed out on a place for violin (I'd taken grade 6 was offered a spot on viola but didn't have an instrument - typical problem with playing the violin I guess), so vaguely curious as to how long the under-11s etc. has been going! For some reason I never auditioned for NYO, but we had a fantastic local youth orchestra at the time so I guess I never felt the need. If anyone gets offered a "sorry, no space for violins but come play viola" letter, you should so do it... and then do your music college auditions on viola ;-)

Hi last year they mostly seemed to arrive the Friday-sat of the big concerts (so next weekend) for the younger orchestras, with the current members of the older orchestras getting theirs after the concert weekend. DD is pragmatic - but is muttering about trying for a late place on viola (she is a cello player!!)

I think DS feels it is not good news. He was told at the audition the results would probably be available at the end of November for the training orchestra. He is now taking it as a sign that he hasn't got in.

They definitely told me last week that they hadn't finished, and wouldn't be posting anything until December. Hopefully sooner rather than later!!

Banofee - they really don't send the results for anyone until after the final regional concert (which is this weekend) as they don't want the Hilary demoralised etc etc

Not sure where Hilary came from! The children of course!

Oh thankyou waffle nose and Janet, we will stop frantically checking the post every day for the next few days!!! It does make sense that they would wait for the final concert doesn't it! Hope everyone else is doing ok x