NCO2020

[Stringchild]

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

So we got the email for SW! Anybody know what the numbers mean after the names on the seating plan?

In the email it says that the numbers refer to the wind parts - you see they match up to the wind players to the right of the numbers.

Deepflat, it’s easier to get to St Pauls school from Hammersmith station. Once you’re on Hammersmith bridge, walk along until you get to the traffic lights (junction with Lonsdale Road) and turn right into Lonsdale Road. Walk along Lonsdale Road for about 5 mins and you’ll see the entrance for St Pauls School, you can’t miss it. The security guard will then direct you to Wathen Hall.

Jensboys - thanks so much. That's exactly the kind of sensible, practical instruction I need. As long as I can make my way out of the station in the right direction (yes, I'm that bad), but I guess there will be signs or I can ask. I just worked out that, using the postcode, the TFL journey planner sends you to a place on the other side of the river. Good grief- shows that it's far better to talk to a real person!

NCO hoodie has arrived! Very happy DD as a result.

Guildhall shuts down due to Convid 19
I hope NCO will go ahead as there are many plans to contain the spread of the virus. Fingers crossed...it will be so upsetting.

I was thinking the same ...

DD will be so disappointed if it's cancelled!

What are people’s thoughts about the residential courses and Coronavirus? Just received the email saying they’re following PHE advice and hoping it’ll go ahead / will keep us informed etc but in reality is it all a bit shit? Do you think parents may also be withdrawing their kids? I realise that if we end up like Italy the NCO will be the least of our worries but it’s so disappointing.

Sorry, deep can you clarify what you find disappointing? Surely they're damned if they do and damned if they don't? Surely following the professional advice is sensible?

It does seem very likely to be cancelled at this stage which would be really upsetting for DD, but I don’t really see that NCO could do anything differently on this.

Gosh - no need to jump down my throat Boys. Just disappointing - not critical or having a go at anyone. Just a massive shame. I really don’t envy them having to make a decision but maybe it’ll be taken out of their hands anyway.

but in reality is it all a bit shit sounded critical to me deep, sorry if I misinterpreted the way you used that phrase, I just really feel for the NCO at the moment. It must be awful for them.

If you meant generally it is shit then I agree. It's the not knowing. Will my DS be able to sit his GCSEs in the summer? Will the Y13s be able to take their A levels? Will we ever be able to buy toilet roll again?

Such a shame. DS (U12 violin) was so excited to get his excerpts. He loves the music they have chosen. I have prepared him for the likelihood of cancellation. However, Nco will have to wait for official government guidance so that their insurance will cover their financial losses. It might be quite last minute.

Good to have the bursary outcome! Our next regional is 10 days away, i do wonder how long til they have to be cancelled (along with so many other things....)

I was really over-emotional yesterday and touchy. It’s just unprecedented, isn’t it? Sitting and waiting and reading news and wondering and worrying. And wondering if I should be more worried? I work in the music business and just watching Europe’s opera houses close one by one. Cancelling engagements everywhere. And I still want to shout ‘but you can’t cancel the NCO’. It’s the emotional investment isn’t it? I’ve also prepared DS and haven’t passed over the excerpts yet. As you say it could be last-minute. And - oh god - all those kids and their exams. It’s quite surreal.

Well the reaction is certainly unprecedented. I do wonder if it's due to the omnipresence of social media (oh the irony) and rolling news. I've lived through Bird Flu, Swine Flu, Ebola, the Flesh Eating Virus etc and I can't recall this level of hysteria before. I have zero control over this so I just take each day as it comes. My DS is assuming he will sit his GCSEs as planned and continues to revise. It is hard for them but hopefully it'll help to build resilience and learn how to cope in unpredictable situations.

I've also been following the opera houses closing and orchestra tours being cancelled. It's not like these organisations are rolling in money. My biggest worry at the moment is if they will be able to cope with having no income for an unknown length of time. I really hope this doesn't decimate our already struggling music industry.

The music residentials my DC were booked on at Easter have both been cancelled. They were due to take place at boarding schools which I imagine have their own pressures around infection control. DC are both disappointed but had expected it might happen.

It is worrying to think what this might do to the creative industries, freelancers and the like. I know a number of peripatetic music teachers who are dreading schools closing as it will mean they don't get paid.

www.gov.uk/government/news/government-advises-schools-and-colleges-to-cancel-overseas-trips

The advice does not apply to trips planned within the UK

I hope the residential is still on otherwise my DD will be so disappointed.
If the course can be postpone would be great then probably some kids can't attend as they might have a plan already. So I feel so sorry for NCO to make the decision. It must be very hard.

I wonder if the decision to go ahead will be based on whether schools are closed or not. It's also interesting to note that overseas school trips are only recommended not to happen. Leaving the decision up to each school I guess.

Wondering also about the regionals. Two weeks till our next one. For the residentials It would be a massive responsibility to be the nurse (or any other staff) and have to keep an eye on kids’ symptoms in anyone starts to cough / get a fever. In a pandemic. I wouldn’t want that job!

Oh just got the email. They’re ploughing on for now. How stressful for them - hats off to them for determination.

Oh, Rehearsal for regional orchestra is now cancelled. I am so scared to receive any email about residential. Everything is first time for her (audition, course) so she is overexcited for all experience of NCO. Just bad luck this year.
My DD school trio is cancelled, local music festival is cancelled, school concert is cancelled! I need to prepare for the contingency plan for this holiday.

Not school trio, school trip!