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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 2017 Auditions

197 replies

stringchild · 29/09/2016 22:24

Starting the annual thread for those who have dc auditioning this year, as audition round starts shortly. DD auditions later in october.

OP posts:
bassclef · 07/12/2016 15:16

Sorry to hear that Greenleave.
Nicky - we were one of the last letters to arrive last year, so you have my sympathies. It was the worst part of the whole thing! Hope you hear soon.

TRL · 07/12/2016 15:25

I'm sorry to hear that too green. Definitely have another go next year.

Original poster
stringchild · 07/12/2016 15:26

sorry to hear that Green - i hope you got useful feedback?

OP posts:
NickyBella · 07/12/2016 16:01

Many congrats to all those whose little ones for a place that is really exciting for them. Sorry paulweller to hear about your little percussionist she is still extremely young so has lots more chances the whole experience is good for them. X

Paulweller11 · 07/12/2016 16:13

She sure is Nickybella, she's fine with it Smile.
She'll readudition next yr x

raspberryrippleicecream · 07/12/2016 17:08

Waffle good news at last after your awful term!

Well done to the others with places, commiserations to those without. I think they are all amazing for trying.

Trumpetboysmum · 07/12/2016 18:01

Well done to everyone who got in and better luck next time for those who didn't. Amazingly ds did get into under12's on trumpet he's very excited ( and a bit overwhelmed as I don't think he was really expecting to get in!!)

Original poster
stringchild · 07/12/2016 19:19

Trumpetboysmum - well done!

ok really hoping our letter arrives tomorrow! Is anyone going to the Barbican on Sunday?

OP posts:
JennyViolin · 07/12/2016 19:48

Hi All, I have signed up to ask an NCO question. I have a DD aged 9 who plays the violin. We have been told she wasn't accepted but that she is on a reserve list and can join a regional orchestra. We were offered this today.

Unfortunately it isn't our nearest regional orchestra as that is full with children who have been accepted on to the course.

DD is keen to do it anyway but I am less keen as it seems a bit of a trek. So any thoughts on whether it is worth it? Also has anyone ever been on the reserve list and then ended up with a place? Did anyone else get the same letter or is it usually just a straight yes or no without the regionals option.

Very grateful if any one has any ideas!

Wafflenose · 07/12/2016 19:52

Congratulations to your daughter! Being offered regionals (Associate Membership) means she hit the standard they are after, but there wasn't enough room for her on the course. Hopefully she will be offered a place if someone doesn't take theirs up. With regionals though, I thought you could choose whichever one suited you best, whether that was your local one or not. Have they said she can't join your nearest one?

There are other parents on here whose children have been Associates and/ or reserves in the past, so hopefully someone with more experience will be along shortly.

JennyViolin · 07/12/2016 19:57

I did phone to ask today but they said the local one in London was full and they gave priority to those with a place on the course. It's a shame as it's just down the road.

JennyViolin · 07/12/2016 20:04

There's a bit of me that would feel weirdly resentful about driving for miles to get to this orchestra knowing there was a very similar one being run by the same people just a couple of miles from my house but that my child couldn't go to it....

Original poster
stringchild · 07/12/2016 20:06

Hi Jenny - yes its completely usual to be asked to go to a certain region if you are an associate, even if it is not the most ideal one for you. Only those in age-banded orchestras usually get a choice, it seems esp so for london. London last year was incredibly full - i think they said they didn't take any violin associates at all in the junior orchestra. It was very full so i can see why (we have done three years of london juniors),

we love the regionals and travel a long way for them, so yes if you don't have other full orchestra options (or even if you do), i would say it is a great thing to do if you can manage it. DD was a reserve the first year and didn't get called but i know of some who did last year; It is hard to predict. DD has got in to the age banded orchestras the last two years and i am sure her year of just regionals developed her sight reading enormously (a weakness in her first audition!)

OP posts:
Original poster
stringchild · 07/12/2016 20:09

Jenny missed your other part - the offers are: full member incl regionals (if want them); reserve and associate member; associate member without reserve place; reserve without associate; no offer. I think that is right! we know people offered each of these already this week.

OP posts:
JennyViolin · 07/12/2016 20:16

Thanks for all the info StringChild. I guess I will have to think about it further. I hadn't really realised there was any option between a yes and a no so I was slightly confused by the letter today. Thanks for the explanation.

nicky10000 · 07/12/2016 20:18

Thanks bassclef I'm on my last nerve at the moment as we are waiting for her exam result as well I'll definiarlet be sleeping much better once both letters arrive.

Wafflenose · 07/12/2016 20:29

Did she do Grade 8, Nicky? All exams are currently on hold here, due to overuse and the braces situation.

Original poster
stringchild · 07/12/2016 20:39

Nicky - i feel for you; we are waiting too plus for final school stuff. think i should have got more wine in...

OP posts:
NickyBella · 07/12/2016 20:50

Hi waffle yes it was grade 8. 😖😖😖😖

Stringchild I think I'm going to be stocking up on wine it might make me more relaxed good luck with your letter too I'll be rushing to get the post when I finish work

kentboy · 08/12/2016 00:19

We received offer this afternoon and NCO offer my little boy in Regional orchestra in London.

Original poster
stringchild · 08/12/2016 11:26

well done Kentboy - hope he enjoys it

Under 12s for us :)

OP posts:
Wafflenose · 08/12/2016 12:11

Great news, both. Is it clarinet, Stingchild?

Original poster
stringchild · 08/12/2016 12:22

It is :)

OP posts:
hapsburg · 08/12/2016 12:39

Well done everyone - we have to wait until after the concert this weekend.

Autumnowls · 08/12/2016 14:47

Hi, all. Just found this brilliant thread after panicked web search! Head spinning so need some advice. Dd1 auditioned as her music teacher thought it was good experience and opportunity to play her grd4 exam pieces before real exam. So we went along and that was that. Except that isn't that as today have got a letter offering her a place in Training. Bit alarmed by the 7 day residential course bit - she has never had one night away from home as is a very 'young' 7 year old. She has never been officially diagnosed on autistic spectrum as we didn't want to take it further - but hand on heart is probably on mild side. She is hyper-sensitive and gets 'over-load' and therefore really tired/spaced out with everything new.

Could someone who has sent their child to Training tell me if what it is like? Have butterflies in stomach and no idea what to think.

Thank you,

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