NCO 2018

[stringchild]

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 :)

Oops- two and a half hours driving, not miles! We're in West Midlands, and it is stupidly far to any of the regionals, and for a couple of them she can only do one date in any case.

eroica, I thought the comments on my DDs audition verged on the impolite reading it again last night.

They described the admittedly not quite ready Vivaldi as ploddy and suggested she should have chosen a different piece.

Then for the other piece they said the tone was very good and that the accompanist was also good as he had made the changes in tempo sound as if they were intentional.

I assume she must have done something right to get regionals but maybe that was the moderator who decided that not the person doing the audition.

Charis - tempo/pianist comment a little

Well it’s sarcasm isn’t it not constructive criticism? I have to say it went over my head until I read it again and I don’t think DD noticed.

Can I ask how people know when the regional rehearsals are? Just got offered an audition by ProCorda but it’s on a Sunday and I don’t want to do something that clashes with the first regional, London Junior is the one I signed DD up to.

Hi there is a list of dates gone up on the website

Charis, I also felt difference between the report and the result last year. I heard how helpful NCO's report was so I was sort of looking forward to receive some useful tips/advice/criticism on something DS was not doing right. The report was all about praising and zero negativeness yet DS was placed on the reserve. It would have been more helpful if we could what should have done to gain a full membership... Maybe the person in the audition room liked DS but the moderators had different views.

Still no news here :-(

Not looking good for youngest DC, I feel. Always next year...

string can you please post a link to the Regional dates? I can't find it anywhere!!!

kutik snap DD was regionals and reserve Violin last year for U10s with a really glowing audition report.

This year she is regionals no reserve violin for U11s with a fairly negative audition report.

So who knows....Did you hear about your DS yet?

The other difference is that last year I was told she had to be in southeasteries where as this year I was allowed to pick.

No news here either.
Congratulations to those who've received associate/reserve places today so far, with simultaneous commiserations to those whose DC will be disappointed to miss out on full membership. They've done so well, and should be so proud of themselves, but missing out on seeing friends again is very tough.

Thanks Kutik - I was a little disappointed yesterday as I think that U10s is DS2's best chance. With his tiny amount of practice time, he won't be able to compete at the higher levels.

But today I am fine :-) And he is thrilled. He might not have been able to do the residential anyway (it turns out) because of some choir concerts and a tour that they 'forgot' to put in the diary.

Facebook post mentions ‘lots more results to come out yet’, I’m assuming lots more no’s but goodness I’m not enjoying the wait!
I’m so impressed by the calibre of what I’m reading in your children. Well done to all of them for even being brave enough to try.

I guess the comments were all written by the individual adjudicators on the day (?) so some will have maybe a gentler approach than others but I agree Charis, those comments are definitely on the sarcastic side rather than just constructive criticism!
Although DS wasn't offered a place he had really lovely positive comments. This is what was written on his feedback form....
"You have a lovely sense of rhythm which helps make your pieces stay very true to what the composer intended. You are a very careful player, meaning your intonation and rhythm are spot on.
You have solid technique and approached each piece in a mature manner. Work on developing vibrato, it will help add warmth and depth to your already assured playing."
Sight reading said "try not to be nervous" and "a good attempt" so I guess he wasn't confident enough with that combined with not using vibrato.

charis That sounds unnecessarily sarcastic feedback.... DD got wonderful feedback about her pieces, glowing which was so lovely to read, and "almost perfect" for her prepared sightreading but blew it on her unseen sightreading "right notes, rhythm wasn't perfect today". It was kindly phrased and I'm sad for your kids that others haven't taken that time in their reports

Charis, DS played violin in Southeasteries last year so they may know each other. We haven't got any news yet. If he is lucky enough to be offered an associate membership he may see your DD again.

Taggie

Sunset and miniMIni, your reports are just perfect - lots of positiveness and right amount of advice. We didn't get any advice so didn't know what to do to increase the chance next year other than keeping up normal practice. Though no complain as DS had absolutely fab time at Regional.

We are violin South Easterlies too! DD also would have been U11 if she got full membership.. sounds like there are a lot of very good 10/11 yr old violinists out there!

We are Southeasterlies too!

I really hope DS can also join you South Easteries forks!! Fingers and toes and everything crossed.

Sorry to hear about the feedback, Charis. Like most of the others, DS's report was kind. Really lovely about the pieces and tactful about his sightreading. They also helpfully (for me) said that his violin was lying 'a little low', which I have been campaigning about for months. Maybe he will listen to them!

Is the list on NCO for 2018 the final names?

Oh no, I see it's last year's list.

Link to regional orchestra dates

www.nco.org.uk/nco-2018/regional-orchestras/regional-sign-up

No, that's last years...

Thanks Charis, in my haste to click 'YES LET US IN' I must have forgotten to scroll down.....