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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:
Minimusiciansmama · 08/09/2017 13:35

When will we get audition dates confirmed?

Original poster
stringchild · 08/09/2017 13:38

Hi has tended to be a couple of weeks before but given they have issued lists of where they still have slots, they may be ready...? Can't believe we have another 3-4 weeks without lessons. Can't imagine dd is going to be ready for an audition after 3 1/2 month gap in lessons....

OP posts:
Minimusiciansmama · 08/09/2017 13:47

Hmmm.... interesting. A couple of weeks before is a bit concerning given there's two weeks difference in date between our first and second choice and affects who accompanies her.

I can imagine your concern with that. It's been a lot of stop start for my miss since June but she's had some lessons at least. I hope it soon comes together once your lessons get started again

Original poster
stringchild · 08/09/2017 14:46

i would ring them and explain - we have had to book an accompanist assuming we get our first slot; not sure what plan b is if we don't!

OP posts:
Trumpetboysmum · 08/09/2017 14:53

I'm hoping to hear quite soon too I spoke to the nco office last week as they needed new contact details and they made it sound that those with early October auditions would hear quite soon I'm hoping we do as I need ds to be given a day off school . It's so complicated arranging accompanists for us - as we will have to travel over an hour and a half to get to the venue that ds is playing unaccompanied. The website says it doesn't matter and ds doesn't seem bothered so I'm hoping that it's fine

TRL · 08/09/2017 15:07

DD is reauditioning - she's going for U12's this year, and we had our early Oct audition date by email on 2nd Sept, giving her a month to practise / learn something to play ....Hmm She's starting with a new teacher but won't have her first lesson until Sept 23rd as she has to miss the first Sat for another concert so it's all a bit tight, I think. Last lesson was mid-June. She is, as ever, undaunted.

Trumpetboysmum · 08/09/2017 15:49

TRL thanks for that I will give them a call on Monday if we don't here over the weekend I'm assuming we have our preferred venue as that's one with spaces still available . I think as long as they are undaunted ( and we do are best to hide our concern!!) then all will be fine Smile

Trumpetboysmum · 08/09/2017 15:50

Hear not here !!

bassclef · 08/09/2017 16:31

We got an email with our audition time on Monday, it's an early October slot, so hopefully you'll all hear soon.

Trumpetboysmum · 08/09/2017 16:42

Yes I'm hoping for a date of 10 th October so hopefully I will hear Monday

Original poster
stringchild · 08/09/2017 18:21

Hi TRL sorry can't remember your dc'aninstrument?

OP posts:
TRL · 09/09/2017 10:50

She plays harp stringchild.

Original poster
stringchild · 09/09/2017 11:25

😀

OP posts:
TaggieOHara · 09/09/2017 18:33

We requested a change From 10th Oct to late October and they confirmed that would be possible, but we haven't had a date yet.

DS9 is going for U10 violin. I think the pieces are of a good level (probably Vivaldi A minor and Liebesleid), but only if he plays them well on the day, especially as both pieces are so well known. I suspect the panel will hear many Vivaldi A minors... what are other violinists playing?

Trumpetboysmum · 09/09/2017 19:23

That's interesting you have had your 20 th October date . We haven't heard and put in onthe first day for 10 th they still have spaces so I'm assuming that it will be fine but we moved over the summer so I will check on Monday they may still have the wrong address

Trumpetboysmum · 09/09/2017 19:27

Sorry that was supposed to say 10th October

Wafflenose · 09/09/2017 20:20

I am not worried about getting the venue we asked for... it's never full. We even managed to change back there at the last minute in 2016, when Goo made a miraculous recovery from her injury!

Goo is talking about withdrawing. She's never keen to go to her piano lesson, but enjoys it when she does; she didn't want to go to her flute lesson yesterday and was moody (over tired) and never wants to go to her CAT. I have asked her if she wants to give it all up and she doesn't, but the enormity of starting a new school and getting there under her own steam is clouding everything else at the moment.

Trumpetboysmum · 09/09/2017 20:33

Oh waffle it's tough when they start year 7 I still don't really know how ds managed it all last year as he'd never done an audition , played in an orchestra or been to high school before !! (Outwardly he made it look easy but needed lots of moral support from us and his trumpet teacher) Have you had your date yet I'm assuming that you will just hold onto your slot so that she can go if she wishes ? She'll be fine anyway even if she doesn't do loads of practice she's a fab player Smile

Wafflenose · 09/09/2017 20:37

It will be Oct 25th. I think this is a combination of the new school, puberty, lack of practice, a bit of rebellion and lots of anxiety. She hates to perform now. Sad

Wafflenose · 09/09/2017 20:39

We will keep the slot open, yes. But I have asked her to think about it, and tell me and her flute teacher the truth once she has decided. I have more than enough going on right now, so can focus my attention elsewhere if she doesn't do it.

TaggieOHara · 09/09/2017 20:54

Waffle - DS1 is y8 this year, so many sympathies for the y7 blues. It is a huge jump from primary and the first days can be overwhelming, particularly for anxious children. For what it's worth, we cut back on all extras in the first term of secondary, including music. All spare time, such as it was, was relaxation - and plenty of screen!

DS1 took up all of his old interests (and more!) once he had settled in. He easily made up for lost time.

I know this doesn't solve the audition issue though :-(

Wafflenose · 09/09/2017 20:58

Thanks, both.

She was doing netball, dodgeball, school choir, orchestra and recorders last term, as well as her current music lessons, NCO etc, so the primary school stuff has all vanished. Instead, though, she is cycling 4.4 miles per day, and going to the gym at school on Thursday lunchtimes. Music clubs start this week and she is going to try three - she does love to be busy! Hopefully it's just a case of getting back in to the swing. I predict that we'll have a far more confident Goo by Christmas. She's just so unsure of herself at the moment - it seems that everything in her world has changed.

Nigglenotes · 10/09/2017 09:59

Hi all,

Taggie, my DD was thinking about Vivaldi a minor, but I think we are doing something else from Suzuki Book 4, and maybe a G5 piece. She is also auditioning for U10's. We haven't heard about our date yet.

Waffle, I think Goo would get through even without a lot of practice, given her level. So there is still time for a good polish of a few pieces.

Nigglenotes · 10/09/2017 10:01

Trumpet, may have bumped into you the 10th, but we have changed to Cambridge as DD's violin teacher can accompany that day. Well, I hope we get the date!

Musicdoc · 10/09/2017 10:44

Taggie I have a violinist DD auditioning for u11s - I have heard that Vivaldi A minor 1st movt is a pet hate for the audition panel.... but they surely can't mark it down on that basis. However they might be more picky about how well it is played especially as they have more performances to compare it to? Last year my daughter auditioned with the 2nd movt of Vivaldi A minor and Stravinsky Gavotte (G7 Abrsm book).

Waffle what a shame she is off auditioning this year. My son found adjusting to y7 very difficult. Does she enjoy regionals enough to focus on associate membership, and if she gets full membership despite feeling underprepared then it's a bonus?