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 😀

bostik, no need to have a Twitter or Instagram account. You can go to the NCO home page and click on the relevant icons and they will open up so you can scroll through. Definitely more on those than on Facebook.

I've been reading this thread with interest as I think NCO might be right up DD2's street - the orchestral instrument she plays is a minority one and in the 7 months she's been playing, she's got up to grade 4 standard. I know there are guidelines on the NCO website but I wondered if people whose DCs are in any of the NCO ensembles this year would be up for contributing to a list of allocated ensembles, instrument and the playing standard of their DC at audition? Maybe it could be copied and pasted each time a new one is added? I know I'd find it helpful for next year.

U10

U11

U12

U13

Main

SE13 I'm not sure how helpful this would be as there is so much variance in playing standard even in the one section in one orchestra. PP has mentioned their kid being G2 standard whilst others in the section were G8. Added to that there is little consistency year on year. Don't know what others think about this?

Not sure you would get any more from it than you would from the guides on the NCO website. DD2’s friend got in to U10 on cello last when she hadn’t yet done her Grade 4, but her musicality and expression is very good.

I suppose I was thinking that it would be an interesting snapshot, especially for those instruments that have quite low grades in the younger groups e.g. U10 French horn is G2-4 whereas the U11 trumpeters are expected to be G7-8. Does anyone know of any FH player who was grade 2 on paper? Are there really that many Y6 children who are G7-8 on the trumpet?
I would assume the musicality of any child offered a seat would be of a high standard.

I don’t think trumpet standards are necessarily quite that high. DD was in U10s last year and is in U11s this year and did grade 6 last term. I know some others have reached higher standards than her though.

Hi, I think its been said before, but how you play at audition really is more important than grades passed, there are often children with high grades placed lower down the seating in a section. And the grades shown on the website do illustrate the range of grades that children are at at each age. You mention U11 trumpet is grades 6 - 8, but for U11 horns it is grades 4 - 7 which is quite a wide spread. I also think there is a certain amount of 'working towards' reported for the upper end of the grades. So e.g. when applying grade 5 may not have been taken, but by the end of the year it has been achieved. So it really does come down to the audition - the tone, tuning and quality of sound made is very important as well as the technical standard of the piece. The sight reading is important too to show that the player can cope with the repertoire on the course.

Finewine54 I think it's that spread I'm interested in - I get that playing standard and exam passes aren't always a representative match, especially in audition scenarios, but the website indicates the likely level of other auditionees rather than of those who got in to the different orchestras. If French horn audition standard is G2-4 for the U10s but the players who got in were all G4ish, that's useful to know.

SE13 mummy, does your daughter play horn? At the beginning of this year London Junior orchestra (the one that meets on 4 Sundays through spring and summer terms) had only one horn. I think they found some more now but it's obviously worth applying for next year or even checking if they still need some (two rehearsals left). We have found the audition to be the most important factor too, ds has been at the bottom of the grade spread for his instrument both times he auditioned.

SE13mummy. I believe the grades shown on the NCO website are for those who were actually offered a place which apart from illustrating that it's not grades that matter, also possibly shows that there is a certain minimum technical standard required. So playing grade 2 pieces for U11 horn, probably wouldn't be enough. (Though on the other hand, if they were played amazingly well with great tone and tuning....who knows!!)

Thanks Finewine, the website seems to suggest those grades as the standard of auditionees rather than those offered places. Crocusdaffodil, interesting about the shortage of horn players for the London junior orchestra. I do have a horn player and wondered how easily the NCO filled its places for the less popular instruments.

Some of the very much less common instruments have a waiting list. They looked at switching my child to a less common instrument for nationals this year but realised there’s a waiting list for that instrument, where there isn’t for the more common instrument that is DCs actual assigned instrument!

Squints yes ds's friend from last year's nationals (minority instrument) is on the waiting list this year.

Hi ladies, I hope all of you are enjoying summer!

My DD is going to U10 residential course on August. I am now trying to find black skirt for her but have no idea where to buy. It would be great if you share where you have bought one for your DDs.

Pippap, they can wear black trousers if that’s easier. I sent my DD to U12 with trousers and a skirt - she wore the trousers. DD is very slim and finding a skirt long enough that wouldn’t fall down was a challenge. We ended up with a stretchy jersey material skirt with an elastic aged waist through Amazon. I think it was marketed as a ‘modesty skirt*. If you wanted something more substantial, try Black Dress Code.

Thank you for your comment. Black trouser is a good idea. It's easier! DD prefers to skirt. So, I ordered a cheap long skirt via eBay. If it does not fit for her, we will just go for a black trouser!

Hi Pippap1, I just bought a black school skirt from supermarket. Does the skirt need be a long one? I thought knee length would do?

My DD has used a black school skirt too. Hers just covers her knees when she sits. It doesn’t have to be full length.

Just wondering how much pocket money children normally take to the course? Is it just for sweets or is there something else they spend it on?

My DD has usually taken around £15 - £20 and come back with some/most of it. There are sometimes a few NCO branded bits and pieces they can buy - I think I was given a shopping bag one year, and there was also a little teddy... but really its just for the tuck shop...

When they check in at the start of the course there is usually a table selling programmes for the end of course concert and a variety of NCO branded goods from wallets to pencil cases, rubbers, sharpeners etc. They had car stickers earlier in the year too. Not sure how much comes out during the week, so might be best to buy anything then.

Hi All, just wonder if anyone will give kids mobile phones when they go to residential? Will you buy any data such as for video chat?( do they actually have time to chat with parents?) Thanks for your information!

My DD didn’t have a phone when she did U10. Although she has had one since, we’re lucky if we get a couple of short texts in reply to specific questions. They are kept pretty busy. A phone can be useful for them keeping in touch with friends though.

Thanks Doubleup! I will talk to my kid about it then!