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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

NCO grade levels

34 replies

G00d3v3nin6 · 29/04/2022 05:28

DD is considering auditoning on cello for NCO next year. It will be her last chance as she's 13 years old, and it's something she's always fancied trying. We wondered what level of playing would be expected of her.

Does anyone know what NCO's suggested grade boundaries are for Main Orchestra, or for Regional/Project places please?

TIA 😊

OP posts:
minisnowballs · 29/04/2022 08:39

Hi - I'm no expert on this at all, but I think unless they change it she will be too old for Projects - dd2 is doing that this year and she is the oldest year for it I think (Year 8). She was working towards grade 5 on bassoon (now taken) and was offered a projects place on it - but unsurprisingly not an under 13s one.

Don't know if that's any help, as she's not a cellist... The audition was just recorded contrasting pieces, so didn't really test orchestral ability or sightreading (her strengths, as bassoon is not her first instrument), which I suspect meant that those with patience and recording facilities - and easy access to an accompanist, were at a distinct advantage. DD2 has none of those things.

She's actually found the music they do in projects very unchallenging - it's been fun enough, but not her favourite thing in any way - made me appreciate how good the other things she does are! Friends' kids who do the residential are far more positive though. I guess if it hasn't worked as a format having both things they might change it again. Good luck to her.

thirdfiddle · 30/04/2022 19:49

I can't remember as mine is younger, but you might want to try putting your qn on an old NCO audition thread or the regular music thread here to get people's attention. Or the former may even contain the info already!

I think mini is right, the oldest group weren't eligible for Projects this year, but we don't know if they'll continue that or do something different again. But recorded auditions are so easy to do, why not have a go if she fancies it. I wouldn't be too put off by grades, a good performance generally trumps a harder piece when it comes to auditions.

Original poster
G00d3v3nin6 · 02/05/2022 07:58

Thanks for your comments both of you 😊
DD got into NCO one previous year bit didn't try again. It's her last chance now she is 13 so she's keen to give it one last attempt. We know the standard for main orchestra is extremely high, so we're not sure if she'd be in with a chance. She's playing at grade 7 standard now very comfortably, but if she needs to be playing grade 8 rep for the audition we know we'll have to begin prepping now so she's ready in time.

OP posts:
violinkid · 02/05/2022 08:26

the grade level seems much more variable this year - quite a few of the most advanced have gone to the NYO early or are doing other things and apparently less applied too. . my Dc is in U13 and the range is much larger than expected and than when my older dc did it. it is still a great fun experience and dc enjoys it. so i would encourage your dc to apply.

Fruitloopcowabunga · 07/06/2022 19:10

My recollection of applying last year is minimum grade 6. I really would go for it, it's a fantastic experience.

lolo99 · 02/08/2023 18:39

Does anyone know the approx grade for the projects (aged 10) violin. My DC is grade 6 and we recorded a grade 6 piece for the audition plus an easier piece. Nervous.

northerngoldilocks · 02/08/2023 20:32

DD is 10 and recorded 2 grade 5 pieces. Its within the stated boundaries but I guess we'll just need to wait and see what the rest of the cohort is like and how the auditions compare. It will be a while before results come out though.

thirdfiddle · 03/08/2023 10:31

DD's first year in Projects she auditioned with G5 violin pieces and there seemed to be plenty around her level. Obviously seeing as DD did get in I'd like to think they are choosy on quality as well as difficulty 🙃

As mini says up thread not a super high standard - it's meant to be accessible - but DD loved it and would happily come back for a third year if she doesn't make u12. The social aspect of having a group all around her own age was brilliant, she doesn't get that at home. Plus really inspiring tutors and soloists. So 🤞🤞 your DCs get a place and enjoy it as much as DD has. Funny to be the veteran aged 11!

Bearyinlove · 03/08/2023 21:58

I looked at this and was so surprised that even the 8 year olds in certain popular instruments needed grade 4 minimum for projects. Is this particularly common?!? It isnt where i live but we are not in a really big city. Do many 8 year olds get in to projects or is it mainly older and much more advanced kids? Curious how it works for perhaps an application next year for my child.

northerngoldilocks · 04/08/2023 00:02

@Bearyinlove I think that there are projects groups for each age group. The lower grades at the more junior levels is a relatively recent thing i think - pretty sure that in the past the overall request was much higher but to widen participation they've realigned things. There is a minimum level that they need to be able to play at really to play orchestral music and perhaps for strings that is around grade 4.

thirdfiddle · 04/08/2023 00:05

There were certainly a number of very tiny string players, I don't know how old they actually were. Some kids are playing from 3 or 4 using methods like suzuki, so it's not that unusual progress for those to get to grade 4ish by 8. Much more impressive if they started at a more usual 6 or 7.

I don't think they're expecting most kids who do Projects to join at 8. It's more they need to set some lower limit or there will be five year olds who turn up. It's incredible what some very small children can do with a musical instrument.

thirdfiddle · 04/08/2023 11:08

Ps northern no, not separate groups by age in Projects. There have been four mixed age mixed ability Projects orchestras, sorted broadly by location. Of course as older members can apply to nationals, it's heavily weighted to primary age.

It all changed post pandemic. Before that they also had u10 and u11 age groups with residential, and they had Regionals which was more like Projects in being based on location and mixed age, but included some national age group members and some extra Associate Members. By making Projects not overlap with Nationals they are including more players overall I think.

Think it was always the case that you would be more likely to get an Associate Member slot if you were younger so it was a kind of feeder into the national orchestras. Maybe they made that more explicit with projects? (I wasn't paying much attention to the suggested grades grid except DD relevant row.)

northerngoldilocks · 04/08/2023 11:43

Interesting - thanks for the clarification. I think overall it looks like there is wider inclusion with this new approach which is great- but it's obviously not a 'first training' orchestra either. Nice that they don't have to wait to be grade 8 standard though.

notsleepingbunny · 07/10/2023 14:23

Does anyone know when we might hear this year NCO audition results? Waiting slightly anxiously...!

northerngoldilocks · 07/10/2023 15:14

Not sure but the last date for submission of late auditions for certain locations / instruments is Fri 13th at 9am so would imagine it will be after that.

notsleepingbunny · 07/10/2023 15:54

Hmmm hadn't realised that. I guess it might be a few weeks then. I'll stop refreshing my inbox.😅

thirdfiddle · 18/10/2023 17:37

Right, now I'm officially jittery as it's around when they sent them out last year. What do we reckon, end of the month? We have summer holidays to book!

Madrescuechicken · 18/10/2023 17:59

Also waiting as I need to book a summer holiday!! I keep refreshing my emails. Do they email if you haven't got a place as well or just leave you hanging?

Madrescuechicken · 18/10/2023 18:00

thirdfiddle · 18/10/2023 17:37

Right, now I'm officially jittery as it's around when they sent them out last year. What do we reckon, end of the month? We have summer holidays to book!

What has your DC applied for? Mine is under 12 brass.

thirdfiddle · 18/10/2023 18:52

U12 viola. She's done Projects before and they should send emails either way.
I don't think we're quite at keep pressing refresh stage yet, they only closed late auditions last friday...

Madrescuechicken · 18/10/2023 20:26

thirdfiddle · 18/10/2023 18:52

U12 viola. She's done Projects before and they should send emails either way.
I don't think we're quite at keep pressing refresh stage yet, they only closed late auditions last friday...

True 😆 I feel like a sad case. Good luck to your daughter.

lolo99 · 18/10/2023 21:54

Desperate to know. We’ll be projects London IF DC gets in

thirdfiddle · 19/10/2023 15:00

Email from NCO and .... it's thanks for you 2023 membership lol. It did say results emails "just around the corner", whatever that means.
Good luck 🤞 🤞 to all waiting.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 19/10/2023 15:34

That's quite funny. DC2 didn't take up her place last year due to schedule clashes so at least I was spared that false alarm 😁. TBH neither she nor I really mind if she gets in or not, but need to sort out Easter and summer plans, and RSVP to another course she's been offered, so I'm also getting a bit impatient now.

northerngoldilocks · 20/10/2023 15:47

Emails out now. DS (12) got in, DD (10) didn't. Think i'll tell them both later...

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