NCO 2019

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Traditionally for many years MN has had an audition thread; so here it is as the auditions start in a few days 😀

Floottoot he's applied, but really for experience this year - it's a massive long shot. One day though, he'd love to make it in. NSSO is also an option for 2019.

bassclef, you never know - loads of luck to him!

Phew - that’s done. It went well I think (sounded good from outside anyhow!). DS2 is happy with himself and played as well as he could have, which is all I can ask. Good luck to everyone else!

Ah brilliant Rupertswife. Well done to your Ds

2 auditioning in half term, one for U12’s violin and the other U10’s again- percussion.

For the NCO audition do the DCs have to provide a copy of the music they are playing?

Thanks everyone! And well done Pippap! DS2 was in your DD’s position last year (first ever audition, U10s violin) but it was a positive experience, and he was much less nervous this time.

Owlm - no we didn’t provide copies.

There were a few differences to last time.

Most notably - no prepared sightreading.

Also the only thing DS2 got asked was the only question I hoped he wouldn’t be asked, which was ‘who is your teacher?’ He said they looked ‘pleasantly surprised’ when he answered ‘my mum’. Hope that doesn’t damage his chances! I really must find him a teacher!! It’s getting awkward.

Last time he was asked all sorts of stuff about his favourite violinist, how long he had prepared the pieces for etc.

Although he was warned it could happen, he wasn’t stopped before the end of his pieces.

Thanks...
ooh Taggie I haven't prepped her for questions. She can answer who is her favourite violinist...but how long she has prepared pieces for - she has no concept of time and will probably say a year . Thanks for the heads up

oops I meant Ruperts sorry
clearly tired at 7:30pm

Are they normally asked questions? DD wasn’t asked anything last year - she just played pieces and did sightreading (both prepared and unprepared).

Yes ds isnt sure why they've taken that out , I guess it’s a time thing . But I’m with ds on this one of course it’s important to be able to sight read, but it’s also important to be able to figure out a new piece quickly and independently . Which is what the prepared sight reading was testing .
Well done to those who have already auditioned and good luck to those auditioning soon

DD would be fine with a prepared piece. The sight reading is more of a challenge. But she knew that before she applied so, it will be a learning opportunity.

Same here Crazy. A mom from Dds violin school pointed it out the other day.

Sight reading would always be the hard part for her. She is about a grade 3. Grade 4 is...shakey. Feels like too many things to consider at the same time, especially with shifts. But I have been assured it will come in time.

I would have preferred a 'prepared' element, because the perfectionist in Dd means she doesn't always keep to rhythm if a note is out. She wants to work it out properly.

Thank you for the information of your little ones’ experience, Patricksviolin and crazygirlmama . I hope DD can get in National or Regional one as well as your children.

DD was asked about the age when she started playing violin and the reason why she selected the instrument at the audition. The sightreading is always a big challenge for DD but at this time she said it was much easier than expected at the audition.

I hope all of your DC will enjoy the audition!

Owl - they get 30 secs to prepare and your DD will only be doing about 4 bars. She will be fine .

DS is normally not too bad, but today before his audition, he did his practice sightreading without any accidentals, claiming that there weren’t any. Turned out he had completely forgotten the concept of key signatures Hopefully he re-engaged his brain in time for the audition! The sightreading sounded fine, but of course, I couldn’t see it.

4 bars...she can cope with that Thanks Rupert.

Your Ds sounds very clued up and confident so I'm sure he will have done well.

We have 1 week so the practice begins. I think I underestimated the power of an audition. Dd was very focused on her practice this week. Working on trouble spots without being asked. Long may it continue

Crazy - yes it is.

I'm an interloper as DD is auditioning for NYOS ( Scottish one!) You do one audition and if you get in it is either to junior or senior. Teacher suggested it would be worth a shot, even if just for experience. Audition isn't until end of Nov so we will be sick of the pieces by then! Good to pick up some tips. I hope her enthusiasm shines through as she can be really quiet ( not really shy but not talking lots) when she doesn't know people but absolutely loves her music. Good luck to everyone else.

Horsey - you are very welcome! What is the audition procedure for nyos? 2 pieces and sightreading? Are there excerpts to learn?