London Schools Symphony Orchestra?

[LSSOaudition]

Hello, has anyone applied to this for their DCs? First rehearsal is meant to be in December but not heard anything since the applications went in. Have two kids who have applied (one on strings, one on brass) so would be good to know if I can save that money for Christmas presents instead if it’s not going ahead or if they don’t get a place. And also make plans over the Christmas holidays one way or another. Has anyone heard anything?

Why not just ask them! Mine did LSSO a few years back and it was fantastic, really high standard.

Thanks Moomin - all the info arrived by email about an hour after I posted this.

Hi can I ask a bit more info about this if you don’t mind?

Were these the applications from 2020? I did email the organisers earlier this year about applying and was informed we would be contacted once they had confirmed the courses etc.

We’ve not heard back. I’ve checked in on the website a few times and it still has 2020 information.

Hello mbell. The 2020 season finished in September with a concert at the Barbican. The closing date for applications for 2021-2022 was Oct 5th.

LSSOaudition many thanks for replying.

Would you mind letting me know how you found information on the upcoming courses this year?

We’ve got lot’s on this December (MusicWorks and Pro Corda) but LSSO has a great reputation and I think my daughter would love it.

I seem to have missed something about the application process.

It was on their Facebook page. My youngest also does Pro Corda but we haven’t signed up for the December PC course as the dates clash with LSSO. Although we don’t know yet if he will have a place on LSSO. If he doesn’t get a place we will go and visit family instead!

@mbell. Give them a call / email (DM me if you need contact details). If they’ve accidentally failed to let you know they’ll do a late audition.

The CYM team (who admin LSSO and LYWB are lovely).

Thanks Trumpetdad. I have sent an email to LSSO. I’ll DM you if I don’t hear from them.

@Trumpetdad

Audition sorted for next week Tuesday. Not long to prepare!

I’m guessing the “promotion” was very limited as DD is at Junior Guildhall and her teacher was not even aware. It’s a shame the website was not updated with this year’s information.

Let’s see how the audition goes and if they are willing to make accommodations for our prior commitments 🤞🏽

Good luck to mini @mbell

As it’s run by CYM, I don’t think Junior Guildhall promotes it as much.

And to mini @LSSOaudition

Thanks @Trumpetdad. Not feeling too optimistic right now but I guess it’s good to have a go and if nothing else use it as experience for next time.

@mbell - how did your DD’s audition go?

Are the audition results out yet given they have just fired Peter Ash with immediate effect. Returning members are very upset about it.

Auditions are still ongoing until next week I think. I don’t know if they have already given results for sections where auditions have finished or if they are waiting for the whole orchestra.

@londonmummy1966

Are the audition results out yet given they have just fired Peter Ash with immediate effect. Returning members are very upset about it.

Peter Ash has been fired?!! About time tbh he was odious. Any reason why. I presumed he would be there for the 70th celebrations.

@LSSOaudition

DD said went ok. They got her to play the excerpts over and over at differing tempos and to correct errors in her timing.

No discussion or questions about herself like other auditions. It didn’t sound too friendly from what I could hear outside the room but DD seemed fairly unfazed by it all.

Glad it went ok @mbell - fingers crossed!

@Elle38 - I know a lot of people who think quite otherwise - lots of the DC really really liked him and found him tough but inspirational and are really devastated he is gone.

Yes. I know some friends of my DS liked him. He was once unnecessarily awful and very publicly rude to a percussionist - not one of my DC. And then made some really poor seating decisions in my other DS section that I think contributed to a pretty toxic environment. But that was a few years back now. Maybe he mellowed. I suspected at the time a children’s orchestra was not necessarily the best place for him.

TBH seating decisions often lead to a toxic atmosphere - especially in the string sections.. DC1 was a bit sore about ALWAYS being back desk although aware that it was actually a compliment......

He must have mellowed although he takes no nonsense and expects DC to behave as if in a "proper" orchestra (and quite right too). The only criticism I'd level would be that he can be too heavily dependent on CYM to the extent that some CYMers get in without there being an open audition but that is as likely to be institutional politics outwith his remit TBH.

DC is really upset to the extent has decided not to go back now (would have been their last year).

Just wondering if anyone has heard anything yet about the audition outcomes? I think the last day was yesterday so probably still too soon. But the first rehearsal is now 4 weeks away. And we still can’t make any Christmas holiday plans until we know whether we need to be in London or not.

Not heard yet

LSSO were in contact this week about availability. I’m guessing this means DD might get offered a place.

It’s so late in the day and we already have commitments for three of the December rehearsals.

Am I the only one finding this a bit of a strange set up?

@mbell - I was wondering whether things might be a bit delayed this year because of the whole conductor issue. But then I asked a parent of an LSSO member who auditioned last year and he said the process wasn’t much earlier last year (although I think last year was a bit delayed from the previous year because of uncertainty over Covid).

We also had the availability email. Trying not to second guess what that might mean. Half of me thinks surely they wouldn’t send that if it was a definite no. But don’t want to get the DC hopes up just in case.