NCO Auditions Options

[ViolaMum]

Just wondered if anyone knows how long before we find out the individual audition times?

Thanks
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[MusicalNitWit]

Nope! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) But have had notification of a place on the free taster day.

We're feeling less confident about the audition now because of the time being spent on his technique. He could produce his two G5 pieces playing in his "old" style but I don't want that so if he may not sit for it now. In saying that if they know he will be doing a year at the RCM before joining then they may give him the benefit of the doubt. He is currently working on a G5(Galliard), G6(Mozart) and G7(Weissenborn) piece but the focus is on technique so we'll be taking it very slowly. What pieces is Violaboy hoping to do?

[purplesam]

Just wondered if anyone knows how long before we find out the individual audition times?

Thanks
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Usually not until after the closing date, unless the centre you apply for is full before then. For the last 2 years we've applied in September and have found out times by the end of the month I think. DD wants to wait until after this year's Under 11 course before commiting to apply again (wants to make sure she enjoys it as much as Training Orchestra last year!), but given the reduced fee this time I'll probably put her in soon anyway. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[sbhoa]

Nope! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) But have had notification of a place on the free taster day.

We're feeling less confident about the audition now because of the time being spent on his technique. He could produce his two G5 pieces playing in his "old" style but I don't want that so if he may not sit for it now. In saying that if they know he will be doing a year at the RCM before joining then they may give him the benefit of the doubt. He is currently working on a G5(Galliard), G6(Mozart) and G7(Weissenborn) piece but the focus is on technique so we'll be taking it very slowly. What pieces is Violaboy hoping to do?

As technique is an ongoing process I wouldn't let that focus prevent him auditioning unless there are other factor that make it bad timing.

[ViolaMum]

Sounds like JMNW is playing some pretty heavy stuff!!!

Violason's teacher is 'thinking about' what pieces would be suitable. He's started him with The Entertainer, but I wonder if that is a bit twee or predictable! But I suppose it does contrast any other piece he may play. I'm not sure if he's also thinking of one of his G5 pieces. DS played La Cumparsita at the school concert last week which he played beautifully and went down very well, but that is a G4 piece!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif) DS decided against going to the NCO Taster day.

I'm sure that JMNW will be OK with the audition, surely some of the technique problems will have been sorted out by the time he actually started with the NCO anyway? I missed what actually went wrong. Is it that he has a new teacher who disagrees with the technique he's been taught so far? Being so naive and ignorant about these things, we don't know whether DS is being taught the correct technique or not. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[MusicalNitWit]

Baboon boy has decided on Mozart Concerto in Bb (Andante ma dagio) and Weissenborn Op 8 Vol 2 No. 17. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) The problem is that he won't have a lesson until he goes to the RCM at the end of September so he I have no idea if he is playing it correctly. That aside I would be keen to understand if the Weissenborn is a suitable audition piece for an orchestra. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[purplesam]

DD returned from Under 11s course on Saturday. Concert was out-of-this-world brilliant, showing how hard they worked them all week! She found it a very big step up from the training orchestra, in which they did choir and chamber music as well as orchestral rehearsals and sectionals, and there was a big focus on fun ie one day was 'Wild West' day. This year, however, they had intensive rehearsals all day (8.45 a.m.-7.15 p.m) with the exception of the 2 hr recreational period in the afternoon. Having said that, she LOVED it (and this is a child that usually gets bored after 20 mins practice!), and really wants to go again next year so is fired up to work for the audition. NCO is an amazing, unique experience that really does have a big effect on children. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Claudia's Mum]

DD returned from Under 11s course on Saturday. Concert was out-of-this-world brilliant, showing how hard they worked them all week! She found it a very big step up from the training orchestra, in which they did choir and chamber music as well as orchestral rehearsals and sectionals, and there was a big focus on fun ie one day was 'Wild West' day. This year, however, they had intensive rehearsals all day (8.45 a.m.-7.15 p.m) with the exception of the 2 hr recreational period in the afternoon. Having said that, she LOVED it (and this is a child that usually gets bored after 20 mins practice!), and really wants to go again next year so is fired up to work for the audition. NCO is an amazing, unique experience that really does have a big effect on children. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

That's lovely to hear.

Claudia has decided to give it another go too. We would be going for the Under 13s.

Does it get progressively more difficult to get a place as you go up the age groups? I'm thinking that as they get older less children are worried about being away from home as in our case so there may be more applicants?

[purplesam]

It certainly seems to be easier to get into the training orchestra than the under 11s- only 4 out of 14 of last year's training orchestra cellos were re-selected for the under 11s and, when she found this out, my DD was surprised that she had got in. However, I think that things even out after that particular jump. What I think may be the case is that after age 11 those children going to music schools or junior college have a big advantage over those who don't. My 2 do not but they are still auditioning for under 12s and main orchestra (will be oldest DDs 1st try, has taken me this long to persuade her!) so we'll see what happens. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[ViolaMum]

Hey Purplesam it sounds like your DD had a fantastic time, I really hope that my DS gets in for next year!

We received our Audition letter last week, so we know when we are aiming for now!! Had a big panic as it looked like neither DH nor myself could take him! AAAAHHHH! But DH managed to jiggle his work around so will be able to take him! Phew! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)

[ViolaMum]

HELP!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

We are having problems deciding on DS' pieces for his NCO audition. He is due to take G5 Viola in December, so we thought that a couple of his exam pieces would be OK. However, none of the G5 pieces are longer than 2m 46 sec, his Teach says that some of the G5 Violin pieces are much longer than this. Anyway, Teach timed one of the pieces we had lined up and it was only 1 min 10 seconds! This sounds too short, but we just don't know. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Then we had a discussion about whether the pieces each needed to be upto 5mins or whether the 5 mins was for both! I seem to recall that it is 5 minutes each, but I'm not sure. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Any advice please? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

[Capriccioso]

HELP!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

We are having problems deciding on DS' pieces for his NCO audition. He is due to take G5 Viola in December, so we thought that a couple of his exam pieces would be OK. However, none of the G5 pieces are longer than 2m 46 sec, his Teach says that some of the G5 Violin pieces are much longer than this. Anyway, Teach timed one of the pieces we had lined up and it was only 1 min 10 seconds! This sounds too short, but we just don't know. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Then we had a discussion about whether the pieces each needed to be upto 5mins or whether the 5 mins was for both! I seem to recall that it is 5 minutes each, but I'm not sure. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Any advice please? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

I don't think it matters if the pieces are shorter as long as they are contrasting in styles, and I think the 5 minutes would be for each piece. Daughter's pieces that she has chosen for this year are about 3 and 4 minutes each (I am guessing - we haven't timed them yet - I hadn't thought to!) If the pieces are too long they will probably stop them playing part way through so they don't run over time, but it's not a problem.

[ViolaMum]

I don't think it matters if the pieces are shorter as long as they are contrasting in styles, and I think the 5 minutes would be for each piece. Daughter's pieces that she has chosen for this year are about 3 and 4 minutes each (I am guessing - we haven't timed them yet - I hadn't thought to!) If the pieces are too long they will probably stop them playing part way through so they don't run over time, but it's not a problem.

Thanks Horseplay.
Could I ask what instrument your DD plays, what Grade she is and which orchestra she's applying for? Sounds like she's already plays in the NCO?

I double checked the Viola Grade 5 pieces and the longest is actually 2m 53sec, but that's on the ABRSM CD, DS tends to play faster than they do! The longer piece that we suggested to DS tonight, he has played a little before, but he never liked it and now he says that he hates it, so that's probably a nonstarter! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

I also found it on the website - the pieces are upto 5 mins each!

It's a bit more important that DS gets onto the NCO as the secondary school which it looks like he'll go to doesn't do much on the music side of things! So we're starting to feel the pressure again! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif)

[violincjj]

The length of the pieces you have is absolutely fine. Sight reading needs to be GOOD for NCO. Very good would be even better!

[Capriccioso]

I don't think it matters if the pieces are shorter as long as they are contrasting in styles, and I think the 5 minutes would be for each piece. Daughter's pieces that she has chosen for this year are about 3 and 4 minutes each (I am guessing - we haven't timed them yet - I hadn't thought to!) If the pieces are too long they will probably stop them playing part way through so they don't run over time, but it's not a problem.

Thanks Horseplay.
Could I ask what instrument your DD plays, what Grade she is and which orchestra she's applying for? Sounds like she's already plays in the NCO?

I double checked the Viola Grade 5 pieces and the longest is actually 2m 53sec, but that's on the ABRSM CD, DS tends to play faster than they do! The longer piece that we suggested to DS tonight, he has played a little before, but he never liked it and now he says that he hates it, so that's probably a nonstarter! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

I also found it on the website - the pieces are upto 5 mins each!

It's a bit more important that DS gets onto the NCO as the secondary school which it looks like he'll go to doesn't do much on the music side of things! So we're starting to feel the pressure again! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif)

Daughter has played violin in the U11s but thinks she might like to play viola this time round, so is auditioning for the U12s on both instruments (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) She is working for G8 on violin and G7 viola, making final decisions about audition pieces (although knowing her she'll change her mind several times just to freak me out and make me learn more piano accompaniments!).

The lengths of the pieces you have chosen will be fine. I think they are better off playing something that they are comfortable with (and like - so probably not the one that you have suggested to DS if he hates it!) and that shows off their playing, rather than something too difficult that they might run into problems with under pressure. Having said that daughter and teacher have decided that one of her violin audition pieces will be one of the G7 exam pieces that they didn't choose for the exam because it was too difficult, not sure of the logic in that one but I am relying on her changing her mind as usual so won't worry about it yet! I'd like her to play the piece that she got the best marks for at G7, she knows it really well and not much work to do on it, but she says she doesn't want to! The other one is a random Telemann sonata that she loves.
Viola pieces, one is definitely from the G7 syllabus, that's fine, other one might be from the syllabus if she can get to grips with it, or we will fall back on something easier (that she can play in tune (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) )

Sightreading is really important, they are told to play up to a certain point, and further if they want to, but I really don't know if it's important that they continue past the point. Daughter did but she's lucky in that she finds sightreading really easy.

Daughter's new secondary school isn't rumoured to be great on music either, but her favourite part of the NCO is the regionals anyway, which she can continue to do whether she goes for an actual orchestra place or not, so the pressure is off a bit this year.

Good luck with choosing DS's audition pieces - keep us posted!