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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 2018

991 replies

stringchild · 23/08/2017 19:07

The new annual thread for those interested and/or auditioning! Ask questions, update your news - lots of nco parents on board and those hoping to be :)

OP posts:
Eroica · 16/10/2017 08:08

Grin at all the secret meetups.
We found out 12 months later that someone from a different Activity was at NCO same time as DD,.but we didn't know them then. Not sure whether they'll have gone for NCO this year, as it's secondary entrance year for them.
Regionals are all too far for us- 2.5 hours in three directions, such a nuisance, as it would really have helped DD I think.

Minimusiciansmama · 16/10/2017 08:55

Eroica it's about that for us but on a trainline so not too bad. kutik that's an interesting thought as we actually are equidistant to London also when done by train

Kutik73 · 16/10/2017 09:19

Mini, I think you meant string? Grin

Eroica, you mean you don't go to regional at all? We are actually hoping to get in the regional rather than the age band one. We are normally away for the whole summer so the monthly meeting during school term works best for us.

Also, getting in the age band probably be quite a stretch for DS who got bitten by a music bug just a year or so ago. If his passion towards music continues, he may manage to catch up and may have a chance in a few years time (though he may not as I assume the competition gets even more fierce as it goes up).

Wafflenose · 16/10/2017 09:52

Thanks Mini!

folkmamma · 16/10/2017 12:19

Noo didn’t get age banded last year - just Regionals, but she has had the BEST time and it’s been a fantastic experience. We really will be delighted if the same happens again... tbh I’m not sure we’re we’d find the fees if she gets offered U11’s!

Eroica · 16/10/2017 18:08

Hi kutik no, it's just not at all practical for us- each rehearsal would have required an overnight stay, tbh. That takes up the entire weekend, and DD plays county level sport too, so has a lot of tournaments up and down the country for that. We can't do everything (only I drive). The year DD got in, she just did the summer week.

Nigglenotes · 16/10/2017 19:09

Would love to get into the Regionals here, it sounds great.

Have cooked a lovely beef bourguignon. Made both rice and mashed potatoe as children and DH all like different sides. DS appears from his lair, sees the steaming pots of rice and potato. I ask him which he would prefer.

He prefers couscous.

Minimusiciansmama · 16/10/2017 19:10

niggle Point him to the kettle and the packet then sit and eat your dinner!

Doubleup · 19/10/2017 23:11

Anyone else had auditions this week? Saturday for DD2 and we are all looking forward to it being over. The pieces are lovely, but it will be nice to hear something else. Not so sure I'm ready to hear Christmas music this early in the year which is part of what her teacher has set her for half term........ Grin

Minimusiciansmama · 20/10/2017 00:00

Hahaha double two new Christmas books have arrived to us this week and I am refusing to let her open them yet. Good luck to mini for Saturday

I have to admit to being very relieved to have a break from her pieces though she's reviving one for a concert this weekend, she decided today.

We had an email from NCO apologising for various bits of chaos that happened during the auditions in our venue, which I thought was nice.

Original poster
stringchild · 20/10/2017 12:25

Hi Tuesday for us (although haven't had the formal email yet....?

OP posts:
folkmamma · 20/10/2017 13:01

Good luck on Saturday Double 😊 we’ve been enjoying a little post-audition down time. However Noo’s teacher has now introduced Kreutzer into the pratice ritual, and adjusted her bow hold (it needed doing...) so we’re in for a rough few weeks 😂😂😂

Kutik73 · 20/10/2017 20:37

Good Luck tomorrow miniDouble!

Trumpetboysmum · 20/10/2017 20:52

Good luck tomorrow minidouble Smile

Original poster
stringchild · 20/10/2017 20:54

good luck to mini double and others auditioning this weekend:)

OP posts:
Minimusiciansmama · 21/10/2017 03:28

Good luck minidouble for today xxx

Musicdoc · 21/10/2017 08:34

Morning all.... my two have auditions today, and I am accompanying three others. Good luck to minidouble - where are you auditioning?

Original poster
stringchild · 21/10/2017 09:25

Good luck Music doc - wow 5!!

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Doubleup · 21/10/2017 19:56

Well DD's audition is done. Verdict was that it was a bit mixed. The Hurlstone piece which is usually her best had a couple of fluffed phrases, but she kept going. The baroque Telemann piece was the best she'd played it though and she kept the energy levels up, so who knows what the end result will be. She told me she had been so nervous that she was feeling a bit sick. And one of the keys had had a slight knock, so was sticking and affecting her high Gas, although the steward did tell them. Ah well....

Doubleup · 21/10/2017 22:09

Hi Gs, rather than gas!

Nigglenotes · 21/10/2017 22:28

I was wondering what instrument has high gas.. Must be very relieved it is done! Live performance is so tricky, and they are so young. Stress free Sunday on the way.

Wafflenose · 21/10/2017 22:41

I think that sounds encouraging, Doubleup.

Goo has just told me she is feeling "very confident"... I have never heard those words issuing from her mouth before!! There has been some angst though. A few friends have been asked if they'd prefer Under 12s or Under 13s, and she doesn't know what to say if they ask her the same. Most of her friends are U13 now anyway, and those affected by the new rules seem to be choosing to go up. I strongly want her to stay down, she has done all her crying over her friends, and we have settled on, "Please can you put me where you think is best" if that question comes up.

She did try for a last-minute change of programme. Her teacher encouraged it, then we tried a few things, got some expert advice and decided to leave well alone.

Original poster
stringchild · 21/10/2017 23:12

Waffle it seems that that answer will get her put up so if you feel strongly you prob need to tell the office after the audition? I haven’t heard of anyone being asked the question in their audition so far though and we know quite a few affected in various of the age groups. Better tell my dd to work out what to say I guess in case. She really doesn’t mind as she would likely have friends In The U12s too if she gets in, and she would quite like a better chance of being principal (not likely to happen if she goes into u13s).

OP posts:
Wafflenose · 21/10/2017 23:45

Goo won't go up by default (not good enough). She doesn't want to be principal either, but probably wouldn't be in U12s anyway (not good enough!). I do strongly want her away from someone, and she would be delighted to end up with your DD. I think that if they are going to have to repeat a year and get used to new people and make new friends, I'd rather Goo did that sooner than later, got used to it and felt able to move on.

Trumpetboysmum · 22/10/2017 07:21

Waffle and string they asked everyone when ds auditioned the other week . It doesn't affect ds as he has a February birthday ( but it's where I think the confusion over his sightreading might have come from )

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