NCO 2018 (continued)

[TrumpetVoluntary]

Hi
I thought I would start a new thread as the other one must be nearly full and I might have lots of questions as it is our first time!
My DD is in the U10s for 2018 and hopefully also in South Easterlies. I told my parents about her getting a place and they would like to come to her concert if possible (I understand that this is 11am on 19 August at Port Regis school) or have volunteered to look after my younger children instead if needed. Given my parents get booked up months in advance (they have a very active social life!) and Port Regis isn’t particularly near where we live so we might end up booking accommodation, then I wondered if anyone could let me know how this works:

• do we get a limited number of tickets? I assume there must be some kind of limit.
• would the concert be suitable for children (my younger DC will be 7 and 5 by then)?

Thanks very much.

Northerlies kids stay in the rehearsal and we can’t watch anyway. So some parents stay, others leave. The kids don’t know either way.

Are we the only ones not doing regionals?

Sirius- no we're not either. The times aren't going to work this year unfortunately. DS is in Mains (as is yours I think?)
Trumpetboysmum - DS will miss hanging out with your DS this year at regionals

You’re right bassclef. Have you had anything from them yet? The boy wants his hoody! I’m more interested in start times etc.

Oh yes bassclef ds will miss playing football with your ds. Not sure if trumpet will manage the whole year (he can make 2 of the first 3 then we will have to see if the rehearsals clash with AYM) - but they didnt have many trumpets last year so I think Andy the conductor was keen for him to continue if he could and he enjoyed it so we'll see how it goes. Hopefully his cello and percussion playing friends are still going.

Argh, when the dates were posted for regionals Northerlies didn’t start til March but now there’s a date there for February. I so don’t want her to miss the first rehearsal but she’s booked to do a modelling shoot in London. Im a bit annoyed as I checked the dates again before I booked the hotel (which is nonrefundable). But I really don’t want her to miss her first ever rehearsal

A modelling shoot sounds very exciting. If it makes you feel better they didn't all go to the easterlies first rehearsal last year though I can understand you not wanting her to miss it

trumpet thanks, it is really exciting. She was chosen for a National dancewear contract for a year. I’m currently trying to negotiate with the company and NCO to try work something out

Mini

Sirius - I've just had an email confirming receipt of forms.

Looking back at last years emails, hoody pre-orders opened on 11 Jan, but they weren't dispatched until 21st Feb. The year before the hoodies arrived at the Easter course and were distributed there. Hopefully we'll be able to order soon. Course information was uploaded to the website on 27th Feb. Generally start times have been arrive between 2 & 3pm, I think in previous years.

Well done mini DD for being selected for modelling!

That's all useful, thank you.

The repertoire list for mains is on facebook now, looks good.

Hello. I am in a dilemma whether or not we should take DD2 to Easterlies which is about one and half hour train ride from us.
Our first choice was London Junior but we missed it!

For DD2, this is the first NCO experience (U11) and i wanted her to make some friends before the summer residentials but without a car it will be hard (our car is in full swing in the weekends with her older sister and brother).

This may have been someone who asked the same question before, but I would like to ask it to current parents. Is it worth taking up the place?

I would say worth it for the following reasons

Making friends
Playing in a big ensemble
Tuning
Counting rhythms
Counting bars test!

Makes the course less daunting and makes them much more prepared and aware if expectations. We wouldn’t miss it!

I would agree with Windmum especially if you haven't had a lot of orchestra or ensemble playing experience before. Ds knew no one in NCO so it was good to make a few friends and recognise some friendly faces when he turned up at the Easter course. Ds goes to easterlies, the conductors great maybe see you there ( and if you are coming by train the venue is easily accessible by bus from the town centre)

Was just having a squint at the under12s Easter course repertoire. My little hornist is one of the re-squad-ed autumn-born gang and I am a bit surprised that quite a bit of the music looks a bit familiar from last year. I am sure they did Finlandia last year and surely did the Arnold Scottish dances ? Perhaps it was the Cornish Dances instead.

Far from the end of the world especially as Finlandia is such a great pieces for horns, but I was a bit surprised.

I wish they would get the participant lists out so we could see who he knows from last year and from school for room allocations requests !

Hi Michaelah - we are returnees to u12s too and yes seems some of the pieces seem the same; also dd played Hoedown in the u11s or u10s (i can't remember which). And yes would def be good to see the list as all dd's friends were old enough for u13s or don't have full places this time

Hi Windmum and Trumpet - thank you very much for your insights.

DD2 is definitely not an experienced violinist. She hasn't played in an orchestra/emsenble out of her school. Socially, she is not a bubbly, friendly girl and not good at making friends.

Well, the trip to Easterlies seems a must to her...

The first course of Easterlies will be a challenge, because DH is away on his business trip. So I have to be super-organized to take DD2 to Easterlies and to arrange lifts for DD1 and DS to ballet and cricket.
But I made up my mind and will take up the place. Hope to see you, Trumpet;)

We will be there Orange - we don't stay as ds is far too grown up to want me watching !! but lots of parents do and it's all very friendly .

Hope everyone off to London regionals has s good first rehearsal, esp those new to NCO. We are going to northerlies for a change this year so see some of you in a few weeks 😀

Good day at London regionals Juniors although less organised than previously due to change of staff. New director did some nice warm ups with kids (and parents) before the conductor began rehearsals.

Sounds like it was fun. Am still sad we had to change from London Juniors as the journey would have been so easy. Anyway off to South Easterlies at the end of half term. Am hoping to meet a friend in the area while ds rehearses, do you think they mind if parents don’t stay the whole time?

I can't bet staying, watching my child gaze around or start dismantling his instrument at random times, or holding it lazily. Much better for my sanity to clear off!

Michaelh it's a horn player thing! Mine's not a gazer but he's a dedicated dismantler.

Ds does a lot of slumping in his chair and gazing into space ( I have pointed out that this isn't best during a concert ) I guess it's because brass players get lots of rests !!