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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

NCO 2016

108 replies

Musicmom1 · 29/09/2015 15:25

Auditions started this week so a new thread for those whose DC are auditing and anyone else interested.

Dd was in the Under 10s this year, and reserve for the Training Orchestra the year before. Auditioning twice - this week and in Oct. unfortunately our accompanist had pulled out this week but DD is ok going solo. We aren't expecting a place this year as it is seems to get harder as you go into the older orchestras but the journey has been brilliant so far and DD wouldn't consider not having a go.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
Musicdoc · 04/12/2015 15:40

NCO have just posted this on their facebook page:

We've started to post the much anticipated audition results - but please do continue to be patient as our office staff send out all 1,139 letters.
A reminder to Under 13 members that they will not hear until after the Winter Concert at Fairfield Halls on Sunday 20th December.

chicafuego · 04/12/2015 15:55

Thanks for the update, Musicdoc. I notice that the stamps on the letters in the photo are second class. A few more days to wait maybe.

Scaredofthepianoexaminer · 04/12/2015 18:01

Can't help thinking - 1139 letters to send out. 2nd class stamp is 54p. £615 added to their bursary fund could make an enormous difference to a couple of families. Wondering why they don't email results out. I will ask/suggest!

chicafuego · 04/12/2015 18:27

It does seem crazy not to send most things out by e-mail these days.

Wafflenose · 04/12/2015 19:59

Yep, highly unusual.

If DD doesn't get in, we're looking into a couple of woodwind courses locally, or auditioning for the National Youth Recorder Orchestra - she's a recorder player really.

Wafflenose · 04/12/2015 20:17

Nothing yet, although I know of others who have heard.

Pradaqueen · 04/12/2015 21:40

We're a no here although it was expected given that she was given cello sight reading music at the audition and she plays the violin... Definitely applying next year as she is doing grade 5 in March and expected to be at 6 level in September. I am very proud of how far she has come with the new teacher in 5 months - literally grade 1 to Grade 5 in as many months after three years of getting nowhere with school lessons.... She is advised to audition next year and she certainly will. Congratulations to everyone whether in it out! Xx

Wafflenose · 04/12/2015 22:16

Commiserations to your DD, Pradaqueen - did you complain about the sight reading? She has done amazingly to progress as well as that. Well worth a go next year.

Wafflenose · 05/12/2015 09:29

Postman has been and gone...

We got a bank statement! :(

chicafuego · 05/12/2015 11:47

I am afraid we got a no too. The comments were partly points I was aware of, even though I am not a musician- bow tends to stay near the fingerboard. They also commented that the way he holds the bow will hold him back. He has probably got into a bad habit, which I think it should have been the teacher's responsibility to help him with.
Any thoughts on how I could help him with this? I am now thinking maybe we should have looked around, rather than just automatically use the teacher that goes into school.
Luckily my DS just said, 'oh well, I will audition next time'.

Pradaqueen · 05/12/2015 11:49

Hi Waffle, no I didn't complain as they gave her a new piece but it did put her off her stride somewhat... Currently at the RCM open day. It's amazing, and her teacher has recommended we explore it. One of her other students is second violin in the sinfonia and it sounds fantastic!

Hope the postman brings you better news on Monday!

Original poster
Musicmom1 · 05/12/2015 12:41

Hi under 11s for us.

Sorry to hear about the no's but hopefully everyone will want to audition again?

No one else we know has heard yet so I guess we got lucky with the post!

OP posts:
Wafflenose · 05/12/2015 13:15

Excellent news, Musicmom1 - which instrument? Tell her very well done from us!

Sorry to hear about those that didn't get in. I hope they'll find the feedback helpful, and try again.

Original poster
Musicmom1 · 05/12/2015 15:15

Waffle - thank you. Clarinet again :)

Chica and Prada - were you offered associate membership/regionals?

OP posts:
chicafuego · 05/12/2015 15:45

Unfortunately he wasn't offered anything apart from the suggestion to try again next year. I am sad for him, but he seems OK. I feel that his teacher should have suggested/helped him more with the way he holds his bow/uses the bow, as that seemed to be a large part of their observations and they said it would hold him back. Hopefully, now this is in writing it will help for the future.
He is very keen to audition now for the Young National Schools Symphony Orchestra, but I think he needs to focus on the feedback from the NCO in the meantime.
Well done to your DD Musicmom.

baobei2006 · 05/12/2015 21:05

We have been out the whole day only just got home and YES we received good news! Dd is accepted under 10s her second time. We are very grateful to her violin teacher, very positive feedback only on improving dynamic to create more colors.

Sorry for those not getting through this year but never give up, works on the feedback provided and try again next year!

Wafflenose · 05/12/2015 21:15

Well done to your DD! Mine was in Under 10s this year, and loved it.

Musicdoc · 05/12/2015 21:52

Good news for my DD today who got into Training. She's really pleased because two of her friends got in too. DS still waiting though to hear for u11's....

Congratulations to your DC's who have been successful so far, and for those who haven't been, there are lots of other opportunities out there. My son had 3 years with the Oxford Cello School until he was in NCO last year and has decided that if he doesn't get into NCO this year he'll to back to OCS.

Pradaqueen we were at the RCMJD visit day today too. Great place but think neither of mine are ready for the commitment yet.

baobei2006 · 05/12/2015 22:09

Thanks Waffle, l hope you receive news coming Monday!

Pradaqueen · 06/12/2015 17:56

Hi musicdoc,

RCMJD was indeed fab but I agree a major commitment especially before starting the whole scholarships process for secondary schools next year so we are going to think about it. Congrats to your daughter on the training place. Our teacher is very surprised at the decision ( and she would know more than us) but as I wasn't in the room I am not sure what happened! Won't stop us applying for next year though so onwards for us!

Wafflenose · 07/12/2015 10:34

I am very happy to be able to let you know that Mini got into Under 11s on Flute. She doesn't know - I am at work and she is at school. We'll let her read the letter for herself when we all get in, around 4.30pm.

superbaghag · 07/12/2015 10:53

A yes for DD here too. I called her instrumental teacher who went and told her herself. She just called home from the office in tears. Happy ones though!

Sorry to those who haven't made it through and good luck to those still waiting.

nosuchwordascant · 07/12/2015 11:03

It's a reserve spot here should anybody cancel and regionals ...dd will be sad but happy at the same time i think......

Musicdoc · 07/12/2015 11:15

Congrats superbaghag and Waffle... my post usually arrives 1-2pm so thinking of a quick dash home in my lunch break to find out if DS got into U11s!

TRL · 07/12/2015 11:16

It's a YES for DD for Under 10s! Can't wait for the end of the school day to tell her....