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 😀

Hi everyone, first time on this thread. My DD is auditioning for under 11s quick question re: sight reading for those who have had their auditions, roughly how many bars and around what grade equivalent?

Many thanks in advance

Hi Welshharp. Dd said she had 3 lines yesterday and that was for U12. Last year it was 2 lines for U11. Each line gets progressively harder - not sure what level it’s at though.

Hi Welsh, a friends DD auditioned for u11 and said it was 2 lines, I don't know the level but she said the 2nd line was harder than the 1st.

DS (U10) got one line, DD (U13) got four, that got progressively harder.

Hi everyone,

Just been reading through the thread, good luck to everyone auditioning.

My DD has her audition for under 10 yesterday, not sure how it went. She managed to loose the music for one of her pieces a week before the audition (10 days to get new one delivered). We then managed to borrow a copy, although turned out 30% of the notes were wrong as other arrangement. After trying to correct from the piano part, we thought we were set. Then (as it was three pages), I had the brilliant idea to cello tape them together just before we left. Turned out to be in the wrong order!

Anyway, she came out looking happy.

Coffee, I’m sure you and your dd will be pleased to have got it out of the way. Enjoy half term!

Thank you Double, I am so relieved actually And so happy not having to nag her to practice the same two pieces over and over!!

Auditions done- was a slight disaster for dd percussionist.....xylophone was too small (not enough octaves) and timps were a bit dodgy- little range so one of her timps was flat....so she had to rearrange her xylophone piece and play part of it up an octave.....but she did it- so all good.
Dd violinist went well.

@Zac So sorry to hear this. It does frustrate me that there are so few percussion venues and then you turn up and the instruments are rubbish. One venue's xylo has been dubbed "The Splinterphone" by my DS because the bars are so badly damaged.

I do hope you made the organisers aware of the issues your DD had. It's bad enough that no other orchestral player has to just turn up and make the best of whatever is provided - they have their own, familiar instruments to play on. But to have prepared a piece for, say, a 4.5 octave xylo (which is pretty standard orchestral size) and then be faced with, say, a 3.5 octave is not good. Years ago the office used to check what size xylo/how many timps etc were needed before the audition but this appears to have gone out of the window of late.

Great to hear your DD used her initiative and I hope she gets a good result! Keeeeeeep drumming!

Sorry, I misspelt your name, Zak, it's been a very long day ...

Thanks Boys- to be fair the NCO staff were very nice and it isn’t entirely their fault- the venue shouldn’t host the auditions if they don’t have the right equipment. NCO staff said they would make a note of it on her audition form. Dd was fine, she adjusted her piece and played anyway. Will see how she gets on

Hmmm ... You're being very decent about it but I do think NCO should check that the venue can provide the requisite instruments before they advertise it as a perc venue. As I say, there are so few perc venues, why can they not have decent instruments? It's akin to removing all the violinists' E strings and expecting them to crack on with their rehearsed pieces.

I’m happy not having to nag too Coffee. The bassoon will see the light of day for the first time since the audition tomorrow at regionals.

Zak, well done to your dd for thinking on her feet and adapting..

I know Boys- but what can you do- what’s done is done . She’s still only 9- she has time - regardless of the result. She was in U10’s last year and was auditioning for U10’s again.

Plus good experience for her- make do with what you’ve got. I agree it’s hard on percussionists (and pianists- but obviously not for NCO) having to play instruments that aren’t theirs though.

Zak, your poor DD. I agree with boys, they really should provide proper venues, auditions are terrifying enough at that age without having to adjust your pieces on the go. Well done to your DD for managing so well.

Double, happy I am not the only one

Looking forward to my dd's NYOS audition at end of November ( seems ages away!) then discover her piano exam is the day before!! Oh well, it will be a good week as we will have all the excitement at one time. I don't think DD will get too stressed, she seems to take things in her stride. Sounds like everyone here will have done all their NCO auditions by then. When do you get the results?

Good luck Horsey-
I think NCO results are out in the middle of December.

Zak - well done to DD2 for reacting in such a professional manner. Im sure she made a great impression. She was terrific in U10s this year. I’d be surprised if she didn’t get back in!

Coffee - welcome! DS was in the same position as your DD last year, auditioning for the first time for U10s. His audition was far from perfect, and he got in. They don’t expect flawless performance at this age. I think that they are looking more for musicality and overall quality of playing. Sounds like she did fine anyhow!

Thanks Taggie- that’s very kind

Well done to mini - Zak - sounds like dd handled it with aplomb

Good luck mini-crazy!

We are later in the week - good luck to all those still to audition

Good luck mini crazy !

Good luck mini crazy!

Good luck, miniCrazy!!

I agree with the percussion situation - NCO should establish what equipment is available, and advise candidates accordingly.