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?

Butterfly, we are also midlands but will be going for easterly, I guess it depends on other commitments you may have as Sundays work better for us x

We are midlands and went for northerlies as we could only do Sunday rehearsals.

Hi Janet41, banofee and Aribanjo, I will see which one is closer, and Hopefully meet some of u and your talented children!!

I can only do sundays aswell. As go to church on Saturdays.!!

Easterlies in Cambridge seems like the nearest for me. Although not sure which part of London the junior meet up is? is the London Juniors usually on a Saturday? If so then think the easterlies is best!!

xx

Mini Waffle,

how u feeling? I am still in shock......I am so pleased for them to get in full membership? How many do u think audiitoned for under 10's on flute?

I thinks its a big achievement and will give them encouragement to know that they are doing well.

dd pleased to be in U12.

I've just been on the NCO website and clicked on the big give - took me 5 mins to donate (unlike last year when it took ages to get thru). was very pleased to see my small donation doubled.

Please do give if you can - you'll be happy that you can give back to an organisation that gives so much to your dc (know fees are hefty but they could be more without donations)

and today's last day

Thanks, maggie. I'll look into it!

butterfly I have gone into practical mode.

I have spent the morning filling in endless forms to apply for a local Parish grant to help. I think the course, rehearsals, travel costs, an overnight stay after the course, etc etc are going to come to around £1400. We should get a partial bursary, but need all the help we can get!

Still waiting for our letter!

Waffle - last year the under 11 course cost around £880, but could be paid in instalments, which helped a lot!

waffle nose,
yes i'm also in practical mode, i have filled in the letter, i also will be applying for a bursary being a single mum i havent got much income..........yes its gona cost loads......i need to start sourcing funding. have u got a private email i can contact u on?

Butterfly - London juniors is Sunday mornings at 10am. Last year was partly RCM, but mostly St Pauls school is SW London. So depends if you are driving etc whether its handy or not

Oh dear ariaBanjo, really hope you don't have to wait much longer, poor you. X

Just a query re. How regional orchestra works. As it has all age groups I am just a bit worried DS may feel a little intimidated (he has not played in an rcgestea before). I read that they use much simpler music for the junior levels and I know everyone has left really positive comments in this post earlier re. regionals. He is really excited but are the little ones quite well supported? Do they group them according to orchestra level?

Sorry .....rcgestea = orchestra! Not sure where that came from!

Hope you hear soon, AriaBanjo. How frustrating that you haven't had the letter yet.

banofee I can't offer any help really as it's our first time too, but I should think regionals make the summer course less intimidating. There will be lots of little ones - they usually take them from age 7, and I know of a 6 year old who got in a few years ago! I guess we just have to try it and see.

butterfly I will pm you.

Thanks waffle, it will be a steep learning curve for all of us won't it! X

Hi Banofee - yes they differentiate according to age or level of playing at the regionals plus there are helpers; we also had some sectional rehearsals to work on bits. They will send ou links to the music so you can work on outside the rehearsals. It really is all very well thought out, and if you ds hasn't done orchestra before I think regionals may help him get more out of the course?

Three others we know have got into under 10s and one into training - some others haven't had letters yet.

Thanks Janet xx that is reassuring x

Fantastic news for so many, well done! We got good news for DS1 yesterday (U13) but no letter yet for DS2 (U11). Will be eagerly awaiting post tomorrow...

My DD got offered a reserve space U12 with associate membership and regional orchestra's, a little disappointed for her ! does anybody know if anybody has ever got in from a reserve space ? xx

Hi Firework - yes I think some did last year; we did ask - it varies year to year of course. Sometimes year 6 and 7's find the course clashes with end of junior school/ new school stuff

we got an U13 place too!

Well done to Nicey and 1805's DC - I imagine under 13s standard is amazing!

Dd on under 12 reserves list for violin. She was fine about it. What instrument is your dd on firework?

Hi AriaBanjo

She is on Oboe , will you do the regionals ?

Nicey - well done your ds! what instrument is ds?