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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 2019

840 replies

stringchild · 26/09/2018 08:07

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

OP posts:
littleladsdad · 15/12/2018 21:44

Lovely to hear that it's all going well Patrick. Same story here, ds really loves his school.

Hooray indeed Double and thank you!

Doubleup · 15/12/2018 23:41

You’re welcome littlelad! Grin

Schoolmum77 · 19/12/2018 12:46

Hi everyone, we have just received an email informing us of the regional orchestra my daughter will be joining (associate member), it is in Horsham but our preference is London as it is much closer to us. Does anyone have any experience of moving? We have contacted NCO already but they said it would be very unlikely we would able to transfer. Thank you in advance.

Owlm · 19/12/2018 12:52

I thought we could suggest which regionals we preferred?? Are they allocated now then...?

Wafflenose · 19/12/2018 13:12

Yes. It changes every single year! We have been allocated the one we've been going to for 4 years already though.

TrumpetVoluntary · 19/12/2018 13:40

Yes I thought we could express preferences - they have changed it! We have also been allocated South Easterlies (the one in Horsham). I had been wondering about London this year as it might be easier than Horsham /Sevenoaks but I guess it depends where in London. Does anyone where London Juniors is based this year?

Pippap1 · 19/12/2018 13:49

Hi DD was allocated in London Junior. It is in St Paul’s again.

TrumpetVoluntary · 19/12/2018 14:14

Thanks. Have also found dates and locations in the calendar on the NCO website. We can’t make the first London Juniors date so will stick with South Easterlies. See some of you there!

Wafflenose · 19/12/2018 15:10

Being able to express a preference is quite a recent thing. We always get SW regardless!

mimu · 19/12/2018 15:33

havent had our email yet....

Luckyfab · 19/12/2018 15:40

No email yet about regionals.
Last week I sent our acceptance back by email but did not receive a reply.
Is it ok or should I call to know if they have received it.
Another question about regionals. I can see that the rehearsals are only for 3 Sundays.
Does it really worth it? I mean it is of course a great experience but 1 day only?
I'm new here so don't really know how it works.

littleladsdad · 19/12/2018 16:34

Last year we got SE. This year we've got SW. We live in Shropshire! Grin

Boyskeepswinging · 19/12/2018 16:34

I think the new regionals set up will be worth it. For most kids it'll be the biggest orchestra they've played in and it gives a fantastic opportunity to learn orchestral technique. The more experienced players get to learn mentoring skills and how to lead a section. And it's a chance to connect with other kids who also love making music.

Radiodependent · 19/12/2018 18:54

So looks like they’ve been allocated but we still have to log in and confirm the place from Saturday? We have got London Junior but there’s at least one date that doesn’t work for us unfortunately. Trumpet I couldn’t find that info on the website, could only see last year? I think we will try to accept London Junior if it’s ok to miss one day as Horsham was quite a hike.

PatricksViolin · 19/12/2018 20:39

DS is allocated London Senior.

TrumpetVoluntary · 19/12/2018 23:14

The pages about regionals have last year’s info on but the calendar seems to show 2019 regionals and courses:
www.nco.org.uk/calendar

Radiodependent · 20/12/2018 17:22

Thanks Trumpet, found it. S Easterlies dates aren’t that much different so we will stick with London Juniors and hope being absent for one day is ok.

Josamac · 20/12/2018 20:56

It’s a bit frustrating that we have to pay up before we know the date of the concert day. There is one weekend in June we can’t make and it would be pretty demotivating to drive over 2 hours each way to rehearse if we can’t make the concert.
Last year London juniors. This year we were hoping for S.Easterlies as grandparents in Horsham but given South Westerlies. Miles away. Much longer journe than Horsham! The girl adamant she’s going though.....!
Not sure whether to push for Horsham and ideally a date or not....?

Original poster
Stringchild · 20/12/2018 21:18

I thought they said all the concerts were before the summer holidays - northerlies is on the f4th rehearsal day in June (it was listed in the sign up email) - worth checking?

OP posts:
Original poster
Stringchild · 20/12/2018 21:19

4th not 14th.....

OP posts:
Josamac · 20/12/2018 21:23

Yes, it says it will be in June. Just not which weekend and there is one in June when we are tied up already

Josamac · 20/12/2018 21:23

Yes, it says it will be in June. Just not which weekend and there is one in June when we are tied up already

Boyskeepswinging · 21/12/2018 07:04

Hi Josamac, I'd contact the office after the Christmas break and see if there's space in South Westerlies. Until the responses come in they won't know how many want to be in each regional and you may be lucky and there be space. Or you might not but no harm in asking!

PatricksViolin · 22/12/2018 11:07

I quite like the new arrangements for the regional. Less frequency but longer hours of each session and less gap before the concert sound more efficient. But we are leaning towards not to do it. The third rehearsal is during May half term - we are likely to be away. Also DS has school Mon to Sat from next term so we may like to keep Sunday free from any duty, though it's only 4 Sundays a year... Still undecided...

ThreeAndUs · 22/12/2018 11:24

All booked for DS. Smile