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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

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Original poster

Anyone auditioning for NCO?

195 replies

Wafflenose · 13/09/2014 22:07

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?

OP posts:

Slade70 · 08/12/2014 18:23

Nicely & 1805 - found out today DC also in U13 (viola). Glad the wait is over! Does anyone know when/where London seniors meet? Prob choosing between there and Easterlies..

1805 · 08/12/2014 18:33

Ds is trombone.

Original poster

Wafflenose · 08/12/2014 19:00

Well done to them both.

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Niceyspicey · 08/12/2014 20:12

DS1 is on cello. First time for him, and he is thrilled! Still not received letter re DS2. DH rang the NCO today who said they are still posting letters and to ring again if we have not heard by end of week.

Niceyspicey · 09/12/2014 22:55

DS2 offered place in U11 :-)

janet41 · 09/12/2014 23:17

Wow Nicey - that's wonderful for both to be so talented and get in!

freda71 · 10/12/2014 19:26

Well done to everyone who has got in!

My dd2 has been offered a reserve place in the U12's on the cello. She is obviously quite disappointed but it was her first time and a great experience!. Does anyone know roughly how many are offered a reserve place ?. I'm assuming it's not everyone who doesn't get in!

AriaBanjo · 11/12/2014 23:34

Freda - I think it is only if the selected children turn a place down that reserve children are offered a place. Just have to wait and see.

freda71 · 12/12/2014 10:38

Hi Aria, I do realise that a reserve child will only get a place if a child in the orchestra turns down their place. I was only curious to see if anyone knows how many reserves there are for an instrument ? I had wondered if all children who got a no to the nco were given a reserve place! Many thanks x

dinosaurinmybelly · 12/12/2014 11:13

Hello DD is very excited about joining the regionals but is a bit nervous about the residential in the Summer (she will be 8, and in the training orchestra). Is anyone else's DC worried? This will be her first time away from home without us, so it is a big step.

Has anyone done the training orchestra residential before and could offer some words of comfort?

banofee · 12/12/2014 15:33

Hi dinosaur, our DS has also been accepted onto the training orchestra, he plays violin. It will be his first time away from home and he seems so little! He is pretty nervous but is also excited. I dread to think how he will look at the end of the week, bless him he is a typical boy who needs reminding to brush his hair / teeth etc on a daily basis!! I think they will all have a super time as they will be doing what they love with inspirational people so fingers crossed! Where are you based? X

maggiethecat · 12/12/2014 23:17

The pastoral staff are great and especially for training orchestra are used to dealing with young ones.
I believe they share rooms (perhaps depending on venue) for training.
My dd had been away on school residential camp but never before where everyone was new and she loved it. Was very sad to leave at the end and has kept in touch with friends made.
This year she was worried that she wouldn't get in (I think realising that there were some super talented players in her U11) largely because she wouldn't see some if her friends.
Musically, socially and developmentally I'd say it's a brilliant experience for most.
Hope yours have a wonderful time Dinosaur and Banofee.

notanotherinstrument · 15/12/2014 17:55

U12 - very pleased DD after 2 yrs in U11.

butterfly2 · 23/08/2015 18:10

Hi All, It was nice meeting some of you today!! wow what a concert they were amazing and Kaitlyn would love to be part of it next year, however she hasnt even started preparing for it yet!!

How are you all?

Maybe we can start a private group thread for us parents

Musicmom1 · 16/09/2015 09:51

Well the summer course was a great success in DD's view - Wafflenose so good to meet you and DD was really pleased to spend he week with mini.
Butterfly - sorry we didn't meet.

So our audition is two weeks ago; one teacher decided at the weekend to change DD's pieces to include a harder one (!) and dd still 'discussing' with other teacher on choices. So we are far from ready and it is a bit difficult not having seen the teachers since early July, so we have some considerable work to do!all good fun though and dd is very relaxed about it all although I think would be disappointed not to get into the regionals.

How is everyone else doing?

BettertoChange · 16/09/2015 12:55

DS's audition has been arranged to late afternoon on Sunday 4th of October at Guildhall. Has anyone's DC in the same afternoon with an accompanist? I would like to share the accompanist to keep the cost down. Otherwise, he may just choose the pieces suitable for solo for the audition.

Musicmom1 · 16/09/2015 14:56

Butterfly - just realised your dd was in the same room too I think? They seemed to have had a great week.

Better - sorry can't help, we too have found the accompanist thing quite challenging and did may yet have to play solo. Good luck

Original poster

Wafflenose · 16/09/2015 15:41

We haven't got a definite date through for Mini yet. We are using a different venue this time, and they have more than one day. She has just had her first lesson since early July, and has a lot of work to do!! One piece is unaccompanied and she will play the other one unaccompanied too unless I can learn it in time - I know my limits! I have just asked someone else to accompany her for her Grade 6 exam because I don't want to.

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Musicmom1 · 16/09/2015 18:28

Hi Waffle what sort of grade level pieces are you going for this time? It is really hard to know as I am sure there will be many more wind players auditioning as we 'get older'

Original poster

Wafflenose · 16/09/2015 22:45

Grade 5 pieces, although not current ones, so hopefully won't be done to death this year. Roger keeps telling us that the level of pieces doesn't matter, but that the performance and enjoyment of them matter more. No idea if or when she will actually do grade 5, due to recorder and theory looming, and festivals next term. I can't see her fitting it in any time soon, although she would probably pass now. It did knock her confidence not having it when she went though - "everyone else is better than me!" etc. Hoping for regionals this time, but also being realistic. If she doesn't get in, we'll investigate NYRO again.

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