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Extra-curricular activities

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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:
Boyskeepswinging · 03/10/2018 22:31

Just want to wish everyone the very best of luck. It's my boy's last NCO audition later this month ... sniff ... I cannot believe how quickly the years have flown by. It's scary.

horseymum · 04/10/2018 08:08

NYOS is one piece, have to use official accompanist if you need one ( two if you are aiming for senior) and one prepared excerpt ( 2 for senior). Also says there may be sight reading. I hope there is as DD is ace at it ( if I say so myself!). Just worry about her not coming across well in questions.

Trufflethewuffle · 04/10/2018 08:39

I'm an interloper too as DD did her second round audition for NYO on Saturday. First time she has applied.

She feels it went as well as it could but doesn't expect to get in as the standard is so high. Great audition experience whatever and there were a few amusing moments in the waiting room!

The worst bit was the train journey home. Cancellations on our normal route so we tried an alternative to be met by huge delays due to signalling problems then delays all down the line, our coach was in darkness a lot of the way. Never been so glad to see Yeovil Junction in my life!

PatricksViolin · 04/10/2018 08:50

Well done to your dd for the challenge, Trufflethewuffle. Sorry for the painful journey but glad it was after the audition not before. Smile

Rupertswife · 04/10/2018 09:05

well done truffle's DD! It is a big achievement to get through to the second round, so the NYO must be super interested Smile. Very exciting!

horsey - sounds like an interesting process. Is your DD going for the junior or senior orchestra? NYOS are amazing. We saw them at the proms a few years ago! Their performance of the Stravinsky firebird had both DSes were boucing (literally) with excitement [poor people behind us!!]. It was their first time hearing a full orchestra.

horseymum · 04/10/2018 10:41

Rupertswife, trying for junior definitely! She is around grade 5 which is the recommended minimum level so it just depends on how she plays, what they are looking for and how the others play! I looked at a video of the juniors and they had 5 oboes (!) so that increases the chances. I'm impressed at a youth orchestra playing Firebird, I played it in our adult orchestra and it is seriously tricky! ( Would help if I practiced more!)

Floottoot · 04/10/2018 11:11

Everything crossed for good news, Truffle - sounds like she did her best, so that's the most positive thing, and anything else would be a lovely bonus. 😃

Trufflethewuffle · 04/10/2018 14:10

DD has just heard that she didn't get in. She is a bit sad but is going to request feedback so is just submitting the email for that.

I think she will try again next year. Thanks for all the good wishes.

PatricksViolin · 04/10/2018 14:59

Super well done to your DD. She's done an amazing challenge and experience! As you say, she can keep trying. Smile

Crazygirlmama · 04/10/2018 15:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lotsofmilkonesugar · 04/10/2018 16:27

Sorry to hear minitruffle didn’t get a space but it’s an amazing achievement to get to the 2nd round... hope the feedback is helpful too 💐

Trumpetboysmum · 04/10/2018 16:40

Great achievement to get through to the second round truffle . Well done to your dd . Smile
Even the website says that most applicants aren’t successful first time . Ds will try next year I think , but says he doesn’t expect to get in.
What’s this about red skirts and regional orchestras Crazy?

Original poster
stringchild · 04/10/2018 16:57

Trumpet - no red skirts at regional concert this year; black long skirts or trousers.

OP posts:
Trumpetboysmum · 04/10/2018 17:14

Oh ok - that’s a shame if they were looking forward to wearing them . Are the boys still wearing red ties ?

Crazygirlmama · 04/10/2018 18:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Floottoot · 04/10/2018 20:44

I'm sure she must be disappointed, Truffle, but she's done so well to get this far and it bodes well for next year.

I auditioned for NYO when I was 17. It was a very bittersweet experience, because I was told I was absolutely good enough to get in, but had left it too late - you go in at the end of the section and work your way up, and by then I was too old to do that. I remember the then director, Derek Bourgeois almost shouting at me, asking me why on earth I hadn't auditioned before.

Eroica · 07/10/2018 16:36

Oh floottoot what a horrible experience! How would you know that, unless it was spelled out to prospective players in the information? Hmm

Floottoot · 07/10/2018 20:16

I can still remember how gutted I was,Eroica - I would happily have gone in on 15th flute, just to he a member. I have no idea why no-one suggested auditioning sooner - I had been at JD since I was 12, got grade 8 distinction before I got there, and 3 other members of my wind quintet had got in a couple of years before.

I did become principal flute of the NYWO of GB for a couple of years, but it wasn't quite the same.

Lotsofmilkonesugar · 07/10/2018 21:03

Oh floot what a shame.... sounds like you made the best of the situation but it must have been very disappointing 🙁

Rupertswife · 07/10/2018 22:21

How frustrating floot ! Playing in the NYO must be a very special experience, and I’m so sorry you missed out Sad

Sorry to hear that mini- truffle didn’t quite make it this time. I hope she has another try next year. It sounds like she was close! And it even says on the publicity material that few get in the first time! She did fantastically to get to the second round.

Very very good luck for this week’s auditioners!! Go team mn!! Star

PatricksViolin · 07/10/2018 23:08

I am a bit confused by Floot's experience. If 17 is considered to be too late, when is the best age to start trying? I thought the earliest age would be 14/15. Then 17 doesn't sound that old... I know you can try before then but I am not planning to let DS try at least until he becomes too old for NCO purely for social reason - he needs the children at his age. So if he wants to try NYO, he'll do it at 15, 16 or even 17.

PatricksViolin · 07/10/2018 23:09

Is it too late to start trying?

Floottoot · 07/10/2018 23:42

Patrick, don't forget my experience was (whispers) nearly 30 years ago, plus I am a flautist, so different to string auditions possibly. I'm not even sure if younger to 're-audition every year back then, or whether you simply stayed for the duration, which would explain the id as of.working your way.up.

My friend's daughter was at JD and went in at the back of the 2nd violins at 15...before becoming leader at 17 a couple of years ago,so the idea of progressing still exists, it would seem.

I think 15 sounds about right to audition.

PatricksViolin · 08/10/2018 00:02

Thanks, Floot. To be honest I don't know if DS continues auditioning for NCO so perhaps NYO never come across his path which would be a great shame as I know he would enjoy the experience. Interesting to see the difference between NCO and NYO. I know they are different organisations yet somehow expect to operate similarly (audition every year, etc). My confusion must be simply because of the name though!

Floottoot · 08/10/2018 07:16

I don't think not doing NCO needs to stop mini doing NYO, Patrick.
I get the feeling the new management of NCO are trying to make it more like NYO, with regards to being more modern and innovative but there must be plenty of NYO members who haven't been through NCO previously, and likewise, many NCO players who don't go on to NYO.