Autumn / Winter 2025 Music

[northerngoldilocks]

Time for a new thread in time for the new school term!

Come and talk about music lessons, choosing instruments, exams, auditions, specialist schools, orchestras or whatever other music activities are going on. Everyone is welcome, from those with total beginners to those whose children are studying music at advanced levels. Ask for advice or share successes or struggles.

It’s a great show but not many roles for DS as he doesn’t have the right physique for a jock and he isn’t tall or old enough to play the Coach. He could maybe play Ripper otherwise it will be an ensemble role. I think he was hoping to step up to a lead role this year but he’ll have to wait.

What about Jack Scott?

I don’t think Jack Scott does any singing.

just got an email and despite my pessimism that ‘no one wouldn’t take a residential week’, DD has a place in NCO u13! Super pleased!

Congratulations @northerngoldilocksDD! Enjoy!!
no email for us yet.

Fab news @northerngoldilocksshe must be delighted. Well done to her.

Ah amazing, my dc is doing this, what section?

Violins

Hello, just looking ahead… NYO proper - is it worth auditioning with two grade 7 pieces if they’re absolutely nailed and the excerpts are also
solid? Even for the audition experience?

Wondering the same question for DD but with grade 8 pieces. (But iirc your DC is a rarer instrument so maybe comparable.) DD said people were talking about it at NCO last year so of course it's on her radar now. She's doing one of the Inspire days at half term, we'll see if the level there might put her off for another year!

@chocolateisnecessary Hi, I don't think you will get a live audition as you need to be grade 8 standard to apply, even on a rare instrument. I know at least two on rare instruments who are grade 8 or above and didn't get an audition. I guess the process of learning pieces and recording is always useful but the time could maybe be better used aiming for a different opportunity. Others will know which orchestras are best to target at what age/ grade/ instrument. The recordings are not due until June though so plenty time to aim for that if it is realistic. Otherwise, Inspire is great if you are eligible.

Ok, I’ll mention the dates to his teacher and go from
there. I just don’t want to rush him either. Thanks!

@chocolateisnecessary it's so hard to say. DD2 is past grade 8 - she has a good distinction on a rare instrument. But she really hadn't had time to nail the excerpts for the NYO video audition. They are HARD, and they aren't just expecting them to be able to play the notes, they want musicality, passion and an understanding of where they come in the music.

She didn't get through the first round...Anecdotally she says there were a LOT of surprises this year on who is in and who is out, but that's probably a good thing that these things are shaken up some times. And also great that there are enough people on these rare instruments now that they can be picky!

But, in her case, her video audition didn't really shine so I'm not surprised she didn't get through. So perhaps if they communicate brilliantly in the audition recording there's more of a chance.

ESO course people - we have a list of participants, so can start guessing who's who from this thread!

It's not a difficult one to guess for DD2 @herbaceous - there are only three of them! the grumpy one who has just realised she can't go to a party in somerset and be in woldingham for an 11am rehearsal is mine,

DS has also been invited to a Halloween party and is gutted he can't go.

He's one of seven. But with no M next to his name!

I'm none the wiser which yours might be if the three!

The most unusual name I think @herbaceous …top of list. she’s a bit daunted by Mahler 1 because she doesn’t know what part she is!

But equally don't let me put you off applying for NYO, I'm no expert and the teacher is best placed to know. Or if they haven't sent pupils before, they can probably find someone who has to ask.
I would say for the video in June, you only need two excerpts but for the live you need to be prepared to play any of them so that's quite a lot to prepare over the summer. Live auditions are September. There will be lots of other great opportunities around the country, some won't have closed applications for this summer yet.

Ok, ta. The problem is too that the new syllabus for his instrument isn’t consistent. A hard grade 7 piece is harder than an easier 8. And he does tend to do the hard ones. 🤷‍♀️ Might shove an application in. He’s doing Inspire this year and qualifies so could hopefully do that again anyway.

@chocolateisnecessary I really wouldn't get hung up on what 'grade' pieces are. DD2's instrument is rare so only has a very limited repertoire - we went to RAM for an open day recently. The fourth year star bassoonist played - a piece from the grade 8 syllabus. Diploma programmes even in more popular instruments always feature movements from many many grades (DD is doing a flute diploma and her school insisted on a grade 5 piece for GCSE recording - she just whipped out a movement from one sonata she is preparing that happens to be on the Grade 5 syllabus)

DD2 just looks at me askance when I mention this and says 'it's the way you play them, Mum' Durr. So I imagine they don't care if it is 'grade 7' if you see what I mean.

Doing Inspire will definitely help you get a feel. They do some more unusual things like improvising etc which wouldn't necessarily happen on standard courses and might not be everyone's cup of tea. ( Mine just tolerate those bits!) Also don't be put off by the standard on inspire, some will be there because they don't want to apply for the full orchestra for various reasons ( it's very expensive, it's a long course, exam pre season etc). You really can't second guess who will/won't get in. Mine got in when even her teacher said it was a practice run! ( Maybe he said that to take the pressure off, who knows). It's never going to be wasted learning pieces. You can tell I'm rubbish at advice as I just flip flop! The live audition is a whole day with group playing too, so actually quite fun I think once they've done their individual bit.

@achangeofnameisasgoodasarest I see who she is! Mine is second down in the French horns. There are some pretty spectacular names dotted throughout.

Hoping there will be some other evening merriment other than 'sports hall' mentioned on the schedule!

Just got details of a new residential course for eso youth (beginner / intermediate) so thought it might be interesting for some on here as there have been a few discussions about possible courses for younger kids or beginner/ intermediate level!

Another course here
Applications are open for the National Youth Concert Band 2026 Programme! The Spring course runs from 28th March to the 4th April at Bedford School with a concert at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, with the Summer course running from 28-30 August at Chetham's School of Music and the Stoller Hall.

Applications are open to young musicians aged 10 to 18 with Grade 4 or above.

Please visit our website for more information or apply today at https://nycb.paritor.com

Also would like to mention the Gloucester Academy of Music summer courses - my two really enjoyed them - the other courses are not residential but I've linked the whole page in case anyone is in the areahttps://glosacadmusic.org/sessions-and-ensembles/holiday-courses/