It has been suggested that Claudia audition for the National Children's Orchestra [edited].

Is anyone or anyone's child in it?

What do you think of it?

I'd appreciate any feedback at all from anyone.

It's great, it's expensive, it's hard to get in, worth having a go!

(It's NCO without 'youth' if you want to google to get more info)

If you mean the National Childrens Orchestra, then my daughter is in the Under 13s this year. She loved every minute of her Easter course, and is counting days to the summer course. The music played is challenging and the social side is friendly and fun. Its age-banded into five orchestras.

How old is your daughter, Claudia's mum- and what instrument would she be auditioning on?

Yes I did mean the NCO (oops)

She's just turned 10 and plays the violin. She has just taken grade 5 - we don't have the result yet.

I had a look at the website and for the under 11s the violin standard was given as grade 3-6. Do they take a mixture across these grades? I would guess they are looking for potential as well as current ability or do they just take the ones they think are best? How does it work?



That's good to know. And from what I saw on the website, the summer course is a week in Yorkshire? I couldn't quite work out what it was exactly. Is it local plus residential in summer or all residential?

[quote name='Claudia's Mum' date='Jun 25 2009, 11:15 AM' post='841403']

I would guess they are looking for potential as well as current ability or do they just take the ones they think are best? How does it work?

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From what I know of it, it is purely based on how well the child performs in the audition. I think the grades are just for guidance purposes, and they also look for technique, and sight-reading. For Under 11s, I saw a wide range of abilities at the Regional Orchestra that my daughter has attended this year. Grade 5 at 10 year old sounds really good to me and your daughter should have a good chance of getting in the Under 11s. Violin seems to be most competitive -so I've been told by the NCO.


That's good to know. And from what I saw on the website, the summer course is a week in Yorkshire? I couldn't quite work out what it was exactly. Is it local plus residential in summer or all residential?
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The Training, Under 11 and Under 12 haVE one residential course over summer, while Under 13 and Main have two residential courses over Easter and Summer, and one non-residential at Christmas. I understand that it is all residential, as they have quite a packed schedule, but there might be exceptions for younger kids, that I'm not aware of. It might be worth calling them up and speaking to them if you're concerned about it. They seem quite friendly.

Hi Claudia's Mum!
My daughter is in Main Orchestra (NCO) this year. She was also in the Under 13's last year. It has been great for her. She loves it.
I agree with 'a mum', it all depends on the audition. The sight reading is very important.
I would say have a go and if she doesn't get in first time, then try again.
Good luck.
Violinma

My daughter auditioned last October (she had turned 10 in July). We had heard competition on violin was fierce and so were very open minded. Amazingly she was offered a place in the Under 11's. She has been attending the regional orchestra meetings where she has met up with a group of under 11's girls who will be with her on the summer course at the end of July. She has loved every minute of it and can't wait for the course. The major benefit to her playing so far has been how her sight reading has improved. She took grade 4 at easter (this year) and got a high distinction with almost full marks for her sight reading. If your daughter is grade 5 then I would have thought that she stands a very good chance of getting in. Like others have said, sight reading is a crucial part of the audition. They also have to play two contrasting pieces, two of your daughters grade 5 pieces would probably be a good idea for auditioning this October.

Thanks everyone and Grove, great to hear from someone whose daughter is the same age and plays the same instrument. Sightreading is my daughter's weakest thing but I guess you don't improve if you don't have an orchestra to practise that in. I think we will go for the audition as she just adores performing in front of others so will enjoy it even if she doesn't get in.

Is anyone else's child auditioning?

My youngest son is auditioning. He was in Training in 2007 and under 11 in 2008 but didn't get into under 12 for this year. He is Determined though and has still been attending Northerlies this year, fingers crossed!

So you have to audition every year to stay in? That's tough! Does it become harder as you get older? Presumably there is more competition later with children starting instruments later?

Got the grade 5 result today - distinction - so Claudia is very happy! I think that will give her a lot of confidence for this audition.

My daughter would probably audition for the Main Orchestra this year but we're not entirely sure if she'll have something ready by then as she's been doing a lot of technical work with her teacher. We'll see.

Violincjj- was your son at the Northerlies? My daughter has been attending it too and played in the concert in June- it was good fun, wasn't it? What instrument was your son on? Daughter plays the violin.

Violincjj- was your son at the Northerlies? My daughter has been attending it too and played in the concert in June- it was good fun, wasn't it? What instrument was your son on? Daughter plays the violin.
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YES! We love Northerlies. FAB concert and conductor!

DS plays violin in Northerlies and also when he was in NCO before, he is auditioning with violin and flute this time around though having at least got a reserve flute place last year.

It IS tough to have to re-audition every year, yes!