Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
ZakStarkey · 23/01/2019 10:46

Ha- anyone got a free private jet I can borrow? Smile

TrumpetVoluntary · 23/01/2019 10:52

Fantastic news MusicDoc! I hope everyone manages to sort out their logistics - maybe I should be grateful that only one of mine does NCO!

Radiodependent · 28/01/2019 08:29

Great news MusicDoc, it's good to hear that there is movement on the waiting list too.

elevenfuss · 28/01/2019 10:41

Hello NCO folk,
Newbie here - I've only just discovered this thread (and whole board in fact). My DDs are doing NCO for the first time this year (U10s and U11s). They're v excited but I'm a bit daunted (don't think they've ever been away from home for more than a night before). How old were your DC when they started and did they love it? Any advice for first-timers?

ZakStarkey · 28/01/2019 11:22

U10’s and u12’s here.
My advice would be phone (if possible so they can call you in breaks- if they are inclined- some kids don’t bother), money for snacks/NCO merchandise during breaks and possibly a small game (top trumps or something) although they have scheduled activities for breaks anyway.
Little ones first time last year, she was 9- she was fine, a little homesick on day 2- but she coped and made some nice friends.

Boyskeepswinging · 28/01/2019 11:47

They're really well organised on the pastoral side at NCO. There are Social Staff who're typically uni students who are ex-NCO so they remember exactly what it is like to be away from home for the first time. When the kids aren't making music the Social Staff step in and ensure they are eating/showering/sleeping and also organise lots of non-musical activities to minimise the opportunities for homesickness. They play a big brother/big sister role to the kids and I think it's a really good set up. My DS has made so many great friends through NCO and they keep in touch throughout the year on their WhatsApp group. He was helping on of his NCO friends with their maths homework at the weekend Grin

Doubleup · 28/01/2019 11:59

Hi Eleven, I’m guessing that you’ll be doing back to back weeks then - both at Port Regis? My DD did U10 when she was 9 and was fine. A little homesick on the first night, but there was someone in her room more upset than her and in some ways, cheering the other girl up made it better for her. After that she threw herself into it and the first thing she said to us after the concert was “ I want to do it again next year!” Port Regis is a great location for them and I’m sure they’ll have a ball. I’d echo what has been said above.

elevenfuss · 28/01/2019 12:00

That's really encouraging - thanks, both.

Very relieved to know that there is encouragement to shower Grin DD2 is a real shower dodger!

elevenfuss · 28/01/2019 12:04

Doubleup x-posted with you. (DD2 is 8 but will be 9 soon, DD1 has just turned 11). And yes, we're back to back at Port Regis. That's another thing actually: DDs spend so much time together, it'll be a real shock for them to have 2 weeks apart. But they knew that would be the case and were still up for auditioning. Good to hear of another positive experience Smile

Boyskeepswinging · 28/01/2019 12:09

DD2 is a real shower dodger!
Grin We've all been there!
I think Port Regis has some of the best food at NCO residentials as well. Admittedly, my DS is not that fussy but he's always impressed with the range of choice and he says the cooked breakfasts are awesome.

TrumpetVoluntary · 28/01/2019 14:03

My DD did U10s last year and was initially nervous but it helped meeting a few people at regionals and emailing another U10 girl. She then loved the course once she got there - both the musical side and the social side. She did mention that some children had to be reminded to shower and to change into a fresh set of clothes!
She is doing U11s this year (on trumpet) so will probably see your older DD.

elevenfuss · 28/01/2019 15:32

boys good news about the food. That'll be a big plus point for both DDs!

trumpet well done to your DD for getting in on trumpet, I gather that is especially tough!

Radiodependent · 28/01/2019 19:24

Ds did training last year when he was only just 9. He was worried but shared a room with his desk partner from regionals and that really helped. They also helped another younger member of their section to get through. As ds had wobbly times one of the young staff mentored him and taught him coping strategies. He had a phone but in some ways calling us made him feel worse so we back-pedalled on that after the first couple of days. Sadly the room mate from last year didn't get into U10s so ds is wobbling again about the summer but I hope regionals will help.

Radiodependent · 28/01/2019 19:29

Port Regis food being good will be a plus as Ds didn't eat much at Wellington College and that made him v tired I think. He also admitted that it took several days to work out how the showers worked!

TrumpetVoluntary · 29/01/2019 09:09

I have no idea about the relative difficulty of getting in on different instruments - DD is just thrilled to have got in again! What instruments do your DDs play?
If you or any others have U11 DC who are going to Southeasterlies then I would be happy to introduce them to my DD as I think it really helps settling in at the course if they recognise some faces. Also she can tell them more about the course.

elevenfuss · 30/01/2019 01:38

My two play viola and cello Trumpet We can't unfortunately make the regionals, we're on secondment at the moment , coming back to the UK for good in the summer. Otherwise that would have been lovely.

WindMum · 30/01/2019 21:42

DD went the first year at 9 years old, wobbly couple of days before but when she got there she loved every second and never a wobbly moment, she looked after the others. The social staff are brilliant and leave little time for homesickness, the instrumental tutors know what they are doing to make it fun whilst learning and working hard.

Luckyfab · 31/01/2019 11:29

Junior London regionals;
I have not yet received email from the Regional coordinator. Have you?

busyspinning · 31/01/2019 12:06

No - I’m not London juniors but easterlies - first rehearsal on Sunday and haven’t heard anything !?!
Just going to turn up Grin

Pippap1 · 31/01/2019 13:00

DD is in London Juniors but haven't heard anything yet.

WindMum · 31/01/2019 14:10

London seniors is this weekend and heard nothing yet

WindMum · 31/01/2019 20:16

Email just arrived

littleladsdad · 31/01/2019 20:42

Can't wait!

NCO 2019
kcmamma · 01/02/2019 10:56

We're trying to decide whether or not to accept a last minute place in the U10s residential - worries about homesickness is a major issue so trying to convince my son and myself of the benefits. Does anyone know what happens during the days? Do they rehearse as an orchestra all day or is there individual/instrument rehearsals too? Thanks!

Boyskeepswinging · 01/02/2019 11:16

Hi kc The days are absolutely packed to minimise time for homesickness. So there will be some sessions where the whole orchestra rehearses together, some sectionals (each section has its own dedicated tutor) and other activity time which the social staff organise (see previous posts). They're really good at understanding that young musicians don't have the stamina to play all day, every day (particularly the brass players with young lips) so the days are a good mixture for the kids. They've been doing it for 40 years now and they're really good at it! Please read the previous posts about how others overcame homesickness, hopefully that will help to put your mind at ease.