NCO grade levels

[G00d3v3nin6]

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 😊

DS got projects rather than main - but he plays flute and isn't grade 8+ so wasn't expecting anything else - more surprised he got a place at all. If i'd had to guess which of my kids would get a place I'd have guessed the other way around. Maybe they prioritise older ones too for projects places?

It was a no for DC2 as well. She was offered projects instead but we can't do term time weekends.

Sod's law applies- she was offered a place last year which we couldn't take up due to clashes. This year we held off booking things to avoid a clash but no place offered. She's got a place for a different residential at Easter so I think that will soften the blow.

Congrats northernDS, and better luck next time northernDD and TheTurnoftheScrew DC2.

& it's a yes for DD u12. At least we can all make plans one way or other now - job for half term to get things booked!

Congratulations to all those who got places! I'm sure they'll have a blast.

It's only two weekends - one in spring and one in summer. Could you manage those to accept your projects place?

@lolo99 unfortunately Saturdays are when all of DC2's music happens. She's out for the whole day (on site 8.45-16.30) including her instrumental lesson and an orchestra that plays at a high enough level that I don't think she's missing out too much.

She did projects in its first year before she was busy on Saturdays, and really enjoyed it, but at the time she didn't have access to higher-level ensembles.

After projects, which orchestras would you recommend?

@TheTurn0fTheScrew that's the same conclusion I came to for DS too this year. A non residential 2 weekends option doesn't feel enough to give up Sat music school for so we've decided to pass. If he didn't do an orchestra elsewhere we would have gone for it though as sure it's great experience

Having had one do projects whilst at a saturday music school I completely understand this. In her case, one of her two individual music teachers offered to do the lessons at a different time so she didn't miss them (but she's particularly committed and really really into NCO so that was her choice). It felt financially painful even with missing the other lessons and ensembles and paying for something else so I completely get it.

In dd's case though, Projects I think directly led into her getting a place in the main NCO the next year (certainly her online audition wasn't great but they knew her by then so I guess knew she could cope). Although she turned this down, it really improved her confidence and she feels more confident to be where she is now at specialist school because she was offered the place. She also met a tutor who was a huge fan of the school she is at now and it definitely helped open doors there too.

Just another example of the different paths that come from making different choices I think!