01934 418855 Registered Charity No. 803026
www.nco.org.uk
ALL
ABOUT US
“What the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain offers our musical youth is unrivalled in the UK. Whether working with a seven-year-old, new to the excitement of ensemble playing, or with a 13-year-old, desperate for new musical challenges – the NCO provides a unique orchestral experience. Not only do children gain access to the very best level of tuition and performance opportunities, they also find themselves in the company of other children who share the same passions as them. The perfect mix of fun, friendship and phenomenal playing!” Sir Simon Rattle CBE
The NCO offers talented young musicians aged 7-13, from all over the UK, unbeatable orchestral training and performance opportunities – this is your chance to be a part of it!
We have five orchestras: Main Orchestra Under 13 Orchestra Under 12 Orchestra Under 11 Orchestra Training Orchestra (strings only)
Our residential courses combine exceptional musical tuition with a great deal of fun. Each course culminates in a concert where you can show off your skills.
It’s amazing what you can learn on an NCO course – the tutors who guide you through are the very best in the country, coming from conservatoires, specialist music schools and leading national orchestras such as the Philharmonia Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
There will be plenty of social staff with you every step of the way to ensure your NCO journey is filled with fun, and a medically qualified nurse to look after you too.
We also offer Regional Orchestras for members of the NCO. Held monthly in four regions across the country, these meetings are a brilliant chance for members of all ages to meet up with other young musicians from their area before the residential courses. To become a member of the NCO you must apply to audition. All children aged 7-13 on 31 December 2012 are eligible to apply for a place in one of our 2013 Orchestras. You don’t need to choose which, if you’re successful we’ll place you in the most appropriate Orchestra.
EVENTS IN
2013
Here are the exciting events you will be involved in if you become a member. Please make sure you’re free for the dates which apply to your age group (age on 31 December 2012) – in most cases this is the Orchestra you’ll be placed in if you’re successful at audition.
A MAIN ORCHESTRPort Regis, Dorset
››NCO TIMETABLE
Spring residential course:
Leicester Spring concert: De Montfort Hall, College, Berkshire ngton Welli e: cours l entia resid Summer on Lond ican, Barb Summer concert: The Hall Birmingham Special gala concert: Symphony n Powell House, London Bade e: cours l entia resid nonr Winte on Lond Hall, val Festi l Roya Winter concert:
TRA UNDER 13 ORCHES et Sherborne School for Girls, Dors Spring residential course: gstoke Spring concert: The Anvil, Basin ergh School, Cumbria Summer residential course: Sedb Hall Town s Leed rt: conce er Summ Hall Birmingham Special gala concert: Symphony Henry Wood Hall, London Winter non-residential course: Hall, London Winter concert: Royal Festival
29 Mar–6 Apr 6 Apr 19–27 Jul 27 Jul 31 Aug 7–8 Dec 8 Dec 30 Mar–7 Apr 7 Apr 9–17 Aug 17 Aug 31 Aug 7–8 Dec 8 Dec
UNDER 12 ORCHESTRA
l course for the Under a special additional Spring residentia in advance. Also This year the NCO is introducing know us let to you to attend – we just ask 12s. The course will be optional in summer. estra Orch the for rt conce c publi new for 2013 is a 7–12 Apr Regis, Dorset Spring residential course: Port 17–24 Aug gham, Rutland Summer residential course: Uppin 24 Aug m ingha Birm Summer concert: Town Hall 31 Aug m ingha Birm Hall Special gala concert: Symphony
TRA UNDER 11 ORCHES e: Port Regis, Dorset
Summer residential cours Hall Birmingham Special gala concert: Symphony
TRA TRAINING ORCHES e: Wellington Academy, Wiltshire
Summer residential cours Hall Birmingham Special gala concert: Symphony
23–30 Aug 31 Aug
23–30 Aug 31 Aug
the right to cancel any course. ficient numbers the NCO reserves In the event that there are insuf
The Under 12 Orchestra will perform a concert for family and friends at the course venue, on the last day of their Spring course. In summer, Training and Under 11 Orchestra will do the same. All five Orchestras will perform together at Symphony Hall Birmingham on 31 August to celebrate the NCO’s 35th anniversary.
THE
AUDITIONS
Most people get nervous about auditions, but there’s no need to worry. Remember, everyone else is in the same boat – everybody has to audition for a place each year, even if they have been a member of the NCO before. A big part of the NCO experience is about enjoyment, and we want that to happen right from the start, at the audition. How much does it cost to audition? This year we have a special rate of just £10, thanks to support from Youth Music. What do I have to prepare? Two pieces of music, up to five minutes each, which contrast in speed and style. What else will I have to play?
What, no scales?
There are two short pieces of sight reading.
No. No scales, no singing and no aural tests.
How long will my audition last? Usually up to 15 minutes. Harpists and percussionists are given extra time for setting up, so their auditions last up to 30 minutes. Do I audition for a specific Orchestra? No. Our Principal Director of Music decides who is given a place in which Orchestra, based on your ability and where you would best fit in. Can I audition on piano?
Can I audition on more than one instrument?
No, only on an orchestral instrument. Please visit our website if you’re unsure which these are.
Yes, but please submit an application form for each. If the auditions are on the same date and at the same venue the charge is £5 per additional instrument.
How good do I have to be? It depends on how old you are. You don’t have to have taken any grades, but here are some examples of music each Orchestra played recently (which you can watch on our website or YouTube channel) to give you an idea of the standard. Main Orchestra: Bernstein, West Side Story
Under 13 Orchestra: Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5
Under 12 Orchestra: Arnold, Peterloo
Under 11 Orchestra: Bizet, Farandole
Training Orchestra: Strauss, Pizzicato Polka
To check out standards of each Orchestra by instrument take a look at the grades list on our website. Trombone and tuba players should be able to read bass clef; percussionists should be able to play tuned percussion, timpani and snare drum.
We offer a number of venues around the country to make auditioning for the NCO as easy as possible. Please visit our website to find out more about each venue – address, directions, parking, etc. Abingdon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Oct Birmingham. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 & 4 Oct Blandford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Oct Bushey*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-28 Oct Cambridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 & 28 Oct Canterbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 & 21 Oct Cardiff*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Sept & 7 Oct Cheltenham. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Oct Crowthorne*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-24 Oct Dulwich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-24 Oct Edinburgh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Oct Felsted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 & 23 Oct Gateshead* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Oct Hampstead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 16 & 19 Oct Leeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-29 Oct
Llandovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Nov London. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10 Oct Manchester. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 & 7 Oct Milton Keynes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Oct Nottingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Oct Petersfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-30 Oct Plymouth*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Oct Radyr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Oct Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 & 16 Oct Richmond. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 & 12 Oct Sedbergh* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Oct Shrewsbury*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Oct Tidworth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Oct Wells* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 & 2 Nov Weston-super-Mare. . . . . . . . . 11 Oct
* venues which are suitable for percussion auditions We allocate audition slots on a first come, first served basis, so it’s best to submit your application as soon as possible but by 30 September 2012 at the latest. We may be able to accept late applications, but please contact Geraldine Jones, our Orchestral Manager, to discuss this. Late applications may incur an additional administration charge. For applicants from Northern Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands we are able to accept auditions by video. Please contact Geraldine Jones to discuss before applying.
ACCESS FOR ALL Fees & Funding We aim to make joining the NCO as easy as possible for everyone, irrespective of financial circumstances.
Bursaries For those most in need, we offer a range of bursaries, to help meet the costs of joining the NCO and travelling to courses and concerts. The bursaries operate on a sliding scale. Any household with an annual income of up to £56,000 is eligible to apply for a bursary, subsidising part of your membership fee. For households with an income of less than £28,000 we can offer you a full bursary to meet the entire cost. We send bursary application forms with offer letters following the auditions, which explain how to apply in more detail. Further details can be found on our website.
Scholarships Through the generosity of the Leverhulme Trust, we are also able to provide 20 scholarships each year. You can’t apply for these scholarships; they are awarded at the discretion of the Principal Director of Music to recognise outstanding performance at audition.
Membership Fees The annual membership fee you pay depends on the Orchestra you are invited to join, and covers all your course expenses: • For the 2012 Orchestras the course fees were £765 for the three younger Orchestras and £1495 for Under 13 and Main Orchestra. • We hope to keep these rates the same or similar for the 2013 Orchestras and can promise that any increase will not be higher than the retail price index (RPI). We will confirm the exact cost if you are offered a place. • The cost of Under 12 Orchestra membership will rise proportionately if you decide to take part in the additional Spring course. Through fundraising activities, the NCO subsidises all places to make them more affordable for you – the fees are only about half of what it actually costs.
Photos: Dwayne Senior, Alex von Koettlitz and John Mitchell
APPLICATION FORM PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS First name
_________________________________________________________
Gender______________________________________________________________ Age on 31 December 2012
Years
Surname___________________________________________________________ Date of birth
Months
Instrument for audition___________________________________________
Approximate standard___________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
Postcode_ _________________________________________________________
Telephone number________________________________________________
Mobile number____________________________________________________
Email address Which audition venue do you wish to attend? Please provide a second choice. 1st choice__________________________________________________________ Preferred time of day (approximate and not guaranteed)
2nd choice_ _______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Instrumental teacher’s name_ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Teacher’s address____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
Postcode_ _________________________________________________________
Telephone number________________________________________________
Mobile number____________________________________________________
Email address Teachers: if you want pupils to have adjacent auditions, please send applications together, with an explanatory note. Do you play any other instruments? ______________________________________________________________________
Approximate standard___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Approximate standard___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Approximate standard___________________________________________
Where did you get this application form from?__________________________________________________________________________________________ If you are applying for the first time – where did you hear about the NCO? (please tick)
Instrumental teacher Other NYMO (please specify) Article (please specify)
School Website (please specify) Music service (please specify)
Family/friend/relative Advert (please specify) Other (please specify)
Specify_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Application form continued – please turn over
APPLICATION FORM The NCO’s work is generously supported by various funders, including Youth Music, who require some anonymous background data. The following information is collected for statistical purposes only and will not impact on your child’s participation in the NCO. Name of school attended
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What type of school is this? (please tick) Do
State school
State-maintained specialist music school / performing arts college etc.
Independent school
Independent music school
Home school
Other (please specify)__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ you receive a scholarship for your full time education?
Do you board?
Yes
Yes
No
No
Which local authority do you live in?______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Do you receive musical tuition from any of the following sectors? (please tick all which apply)
Private
Music services
Centres for advanced training
(CATs, eg junior music departments)
State school
Ethnicity (please tick) White White & Asian Black or Black British White British Other mixed background Caribbean White Irish Asian or Asian British African Other White background Indian Other Black background Mixed Pakistani Chinese or other ethnic groups White & Black Caribbean Bangladeshi Chinese White & Black African Other Asian background Other ethnic group Do you consider yourself to have a disability?
Yes
No
If yes, please specify________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Completed forms and cheques (made payable to ‘NCO’) should be sent to: Geraldine Jones, Auditions, NCO-GB, 57 Buckingham Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, BS24 9BG Please ensure you include the following: Completed application form (one for each instrument) Audition fee*: £10 plus £5 per additional instrument (cheques should be made payable to ‘NCO’) Signature of parent / guardian below. Signature of parent / guardian____________________________________________________________ Date_________________________________________ Title (Mr/Mrs/etc)________________________ First name__________________________________ Surname________________________________________ * Non-refundable once an audition place has been booked.
The information you have supplied on this form will be stored on our database and will be subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984.