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Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

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Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Extra-curricular activities

NCO 2021

44 replies

yodaforpresident · 05/08/2021 12:21

I see that there is an old thread but not a new one for this year. DD is thinking of auditioning for the first time this year.

The format seems different in that there is NCO National and NCO Projects. For her age group the suggested standard is G4. Would she be better playing two G4 pieces or two of her very good G3 pieces or one of each?

She has not taken G4 yet but should take it this Autumn.

OP posts:

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Trumpetdad · 05/08/2021 23:17

The audition advice is to play the pieces that are most secure. If she’s still working on polishing her grade 4 pieces, maybe the grade 3 pieces are a better choice.

thirdfiddle · 11/08/2021 16:04

It's all a bit of an unknown with the "projects" isn't it. We're going with newer pieces because that's what DD is playing and enjoying at the moment. If she was dead set on doing it we might invest more effort, limited willingness to go out of our way for an off chance of a couple of weekends however good. But that's us and DD would take some time to get old pieces back up to scratch. If she would just rattle off the old pieces I might be more inclined to go that way!

squintsoftheworldunite · 15/08/2021 22:11

It's all quite an unknown in the new formats...but being able to completely invest in the enjoyment/musicality/performance of the piece is a high priority x

squintsoftheworldunite · 25/08/2021 06:13

Submitted.... Very pleased to have it out of the way before back to school! We filmed it as live.... A "one take and done" approach... so there were blemishes but its done. Hurrah! Now to wait for months on end....

yodaforpresident · 02/10/2021 15:45

Finally submitted on Thursday morning…..

OP posts:

TrumpetVoluntary · 03/10/2021 11:34

Does anyone know when we hear?

doesanybodyhaveamap · 03/10/2021 22:07

Says on the website mid November for Nationals and end November for Projects 🤞🏻🤞🏻

TrumpetVoluntary · 04/10/2021 08:10

Thanks - found it now. I don’t remember it saying that previously! Fingers crossed.

Musiccake · 04/10/2021 11:22

This will be the final year for my DS. It's sad that regional orchestra will not go ahead and U14 will be only Main Orchestra selection.
Have anyone applied for main orchestra? Good news is NCO will have a Orchestra day for previous national members. Actually this is the first in person activities for my DS. Good luck everyone who applied. Preparing for contrasted pieces and excerpts and recording process were not easy, so well done for the children who submitted the recording!

TrumpetVoluntary · 04/10/2021 20:35

Yes my DC is applying for main orchestra and is going to an orchestra day later this year as is a full member this year.

TrumpetVoluntary · 08/11/2021 11:09

Results for Nationals have started to come out. My DC got a reserve place which is disappointing after having been a member for the last couple of years with no residentials possible.

fabrob · 08/11/2021 12:15

Hi, we received the email from NCO
My DD was offered a place in the main orchestra.
We are really happy and proud.

Musiccake · 08/11/2021 12:21

DS was successful for the main this year. The result was earlier than I thought.
Just checking their residential dates and venue. The fee for main is so expensive but I think it's because they have winter course too.

Musiccake · 08/11/2021 12:25

Oh Trumpet. I hope the reserve list will move next week. As so much commitments for NCO, dates, fees, some might decline the offer.
Many congratulations Fabrob!

fictionreader · 08/11/2021 12:44

Hi, just found this thread. Ds has an under 13s nationals offer, really proud but the two courses are quite a big commitment.

doesanybodyhaveamap · 08/11/2021 13:05

We have a reserve place for U12's which I'm actually delighted about as I thought nationals was highly aspirational for DD as she's on a very competitive instrument! She's quite high on the reserve list too, so fingers crossed for some movement!! Also still hoping for Projects. congrats to those who've got places and sorry to those who are disappointed. We've been in both camps over the years - all I will say is rejection by NCO at U11s opened a whole load of new doors for DD1 and she's now at specialist school and absolutely flying....

Pearlywunzel · 08/11/2021 13:53

Hello all, just found this thread (it seemed like something Mumsnet would have a thread on and I was not disappointed!).

My DS just got accepted for U13 this morning, so we are really excited for him. Slightly freaked out by the fact that both residential are in the southwest and we are in the northeast, but trying to figure out travel plans - presumably we get more info soon. It all sounds very exciting - congrats to other DC with offers and fingers crossed those on the waiting list get places soon too.

@fictionreader What does your DC play, maybe they will get to know each other?! Mine plays bassoon (and violin, but bassoon in this).

KaleJuicer · 08/11/2021 14:47

hello, my DC was offered a place in U13 - they're looking forward to getting back to residentials! I'm sorry for those who are disappointed.

fictionreader · 08/11/2021 14:59

@Pearlywunzel he plays double bass.

Pearlywunzel · 08/11/2021 15:02

@fictionreader, that's even harder to carry around than bassoon!

Pearlywunzel · 08/11/2021 15:04

@KaleJuicer Has your DC been in NCO before, if they're looking forward to getting back to it? My DS is excited, but doesn't really know what to expect. Those who've had DC in it before, presumably most kids don't know anyone else? DS is a bit worried everyone else will know each other and he'll be on the edges as a newbie!

KaleJuicer · 08/11/2021 15:14

@Pearlywunzel my DC went in 2019 and knew one other child from music conservatoire but they weren't particularly close. Most kids won't know anyone else.

2020 and 2021 DC had a place but it has been online of course. DC had a really fabulous time at the residential and they are not particularly outgoing or confident. Imagine school camp but playing instruments with lots of like minded children! I think the pastoral support is really strong and on the whole NCO seems to attract a really nice bunch of people!

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Pearlywunzel · 08/11/2021 15:25

Sounds fantastic @KaleJuicer and very reassuring- thank you!

squintsoftheworldunite · 08/11/2021 15:55

Another u13 here too.

Well done all - yes, wait a bit longer and sorry not this times. Such a weird old couple of years, they're doing great.

Trumpetdad · 08/11/2021 17:31

U13s too

@Pearlywunzel - tell DS not to worry; he won’t be left out. There’s always a mixture of new members and old hands. Social staff and tutors do a great job, and the kids make good friendships as they bump into each other at other events or have friends in common. It’s a small world.

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