NCO2020

[Stringchild]

So my last time of opening this thread - a place to share 😊

In previous years all national kids went to regionals if they wanted. Last year there were a few more associates and they restricted number of places in regionals, so only those hot on the booking at opening time got a place and this year seems to be totally different again.

Just in case it's of interest - I emailed again as I hadn't heard anything about the London Seniors (yep, I'm turning into 'that' parent - lack of information always does this to me). Got an automatic reply saying:

"Thank you for your email regarding regionals. We will be sending out music,payment links and further information early NEXT WEEK (W/C 27th Jan) for our London Seniors, South Easterlies and South Westerlies orchestras - we thank you for your patience.

If you are in our Northerlies regional orchestra you should have received an email from [email protected] already - please check your junk inbox if you haven't seen it.

If you are in our Easterlies regional orchestra you should have received an email from [email protected] already - please check your junk inbox if you haven't seen it. We will be in touch again next week with final informationahead of the 1st rehearsal.

If you are in our London Juniors regional orchestra you should have received an email from [email protected] already - please check your junk inbox if you haven't seen it. We will be in touch again prior to the first rehearsal with final information.

@deepflatflyer Hi, email for regionals received yesterday with link to pay

@Luckyfab - thank you -yes I got it too!!

It’s hoody o’clock!

It definitely is @squintsoftheworldunite ! DD is very excited as we've just ordered hers. She's gone for red hot chilli.

Hoody o’clock! Love it! Haven’t looked too closely yet. Also noted the suit carrier - how very professional. Will avoid accidents like my older son had on a tour where he forgot his black shoes ...

Orange this year here after a couple of pink years!

DS has got 2 x royal blue and 1 x cornflower blue already and is now thinking of Hawaiian blue or apple green for this year. Clearly he likes blue which is fine but I'm hoping he would go for apple green for a bit of a change... Actually I suggested steel grey because it'll hide any stain he would get but he prefers something merrier apparently.

Me again. Can't believe this. I just went online to pay the installment/balance for London seniors, having waited weeks for it, and it says the event is closed. I guess they hadn't amended the system and it shut down on 1 Feb instead of being extended to 14 Feb.

I'm actually really bloody irritated with this whole thing now and beginning to lose interest. I hope the entire organisation isn't this shonky all the time ...

So, off I go to send yet another email!!

Hi, my daughter was a member of NCO for 4 years, and is actually going back this year to be an Alumni player. From experience, you become very relaxed about the admin. The information does always eventually turn up in time for the course etc, if there is a problem/mistake the office staff will sort it out and it will all turn out fine. It can be a bit frustrating, but I'm sure your e-mail to say you can't pay will be met with an apology and a solution to the problem. If you haven't managed to pay by the day - just turn up anyway... :-)

Anyone heard anything about the Southwesterlies yet? :)

Hello - anyone been to a regional rehearsal yet? Could you please share the timing of the day? We have London regional on Sunday and I can't find the timings anywhere, but it is entirely possible I'm just missing it somewhere. Have sent an email - but would be grateful if anyone here can enlighten. x

London Juniors email said:

For the first rehearsal, please arrive at 10.40am to sign in. You will be met by a member of NCO staff and registered. The collection time at the end of each rehearsal is 3pm.

Anybody else stuck at what to do during tomorrow's rehearsal (London Juniors)? We live too far to go home and weather forecast looks dreadful!

There are some good cafes in Barnes. Or a short walk to Hammersmith

DD2 has come back from the London Juniors having had a great time. DH said Dambusters was sounding good when he heard them just before pick up time. DD is already looking forward to the next one... and to the arrival of her hoodie!

@SE13Mummy - glad it was fun! I was thinking of all those out in awful weather today. We also needed to travel to a music gig today (not NCO) so had to ignore advice not to travel. Looking forward to London Seniors in 2 weeks.

@Stanilin hope you found somewhere to pass the time. Any recommendations?

I walked to Hammersmith and stayed in a Cafe Nero for most of the time. The weather was just too bad to stroll around, so I'll have to properly explore next time. I hope you have more luck in two weeks!
DS also really enjoyed the rehearsal. They all looked so nervous in the morning but came out laughing!

Has anyone heard anything Re South Westerlies yet? I thought we were supposed to have music by now...first timers so Not sure how it all works!

@Vijaycobes: not a sausage! I'm sure we heard earlier last year...

South westerlies music link coming out in next couple of days apparently!

Finally! @vijaycobes, thanks for letting us know. How did you find out, did you contact them direct? :)

GETTING TO ST PAUL'S SCHOOL FOR LONDON SENIORS: can anyone advise me the best way to get there on public transport? I was thinking of Barnes (which TFL reckons is the nearest) but it looks like quite a long walk. Is Hammersmith nearer? I can't use Google maps on my phone because I'm stupid so will be armed with an A-Z. Looks like a right old trek. And, given my poor sense of direction, I'm getting a little worried. To cap it all, we have major engineering works on our line into London so that's complicated too. Glad it doesn't start too early!!

Also, is it obvious where to go in? The postcode and TFL directions don't quite match up to the address (seems to send me to Upper Mall rather than Lonsdale Road). Feeling a bit stressed about this. Also, haven't had - surprise surprise - the promised final email with the final instructions.