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National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain

August 22, 2023

The National Children's Orchestras of Great Britain, more commonly known as NCO, is a registered charity which provides orchestral training for children aged 7 to 14. The organisation comprises three age-banded orchestras and four project orchestras. Entry is by audition and every year approximately 500[clarification needed] young musicians are selected to play in the orchestras. It offers a life-changing experience to talented young musicians.[1]

About the NCO

The NCO was founded in 1978 by Vivienne Price MBE. Price, a violin teacher, had set up a number of local orchestras for children in Surrey but was acutely aware of the lack of national opportunities for younger musicians. The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain had existed since 1948 and there were many regional youth orchestras which catered for teenagers, but younger children struggled to fit in socially and so Price established the NCO.[2]

The Orchestras

There are three age-banded orchestras:

  • Main Orchestra
  • Under 13 Orchestra
  • Under 12 Orchestra

(There is an under 11s orchestra and it used to have a residential course, however, it recently has been cancelled, and assigned project orchestras, alike the regionals (see below))

Projects Orchestras

In addition to the age-banded orchestras, there are four project orchestras that meet around the country for 2 weekends per year.

Projects Orchestra rehearsals are for a more inclusive age and standard bracket. Typically the project orchestras use schools or universities such as Goldsmith University and have sharing at the end of the course. The project orchestras were introduced as something similar to the Regional orchestras after they were cut.

The regional orchestras were for national members and only-regional members and took place in six locations across the country on Sundays. In 2012, the organisation introduced an associate member scheme across all of their Regional Orchestras which gives talented youngsters who just missed out on an NCO place a chance to experience playing as part of a full symphony orchestra and to learn from members. Regional Orchestra members met monthly during term time and give members additional opportunities to meet and rehearse new repertoire. Typically, each Regional Orchestra rehearses at a school or centre which is easily accessible and can provide facilities to accommodate a full symphony orchestra. Each Regional Orchestra performed for family and friends once a year.[3]

Courses

Each national orchestra[clarification needed] meets twice a year at residential courses around the UK, where they receive training from leading music tutors and conductors. Main and Under 13 Orchestras have an eight-day course in the spring and another eight-day course in the summer, both ending in a public concert in a major venue, as well as a non-residential winter weekend for the Main orchestra. the Under 12 Orchestra has 2 7-day courses a year with one private concert and one public after the second course. The courses are spent in sectionals and full orchestral rehearsals, preparing repertoire to be played at the end of course concert. There is also time to explore other music and for recreation including something called surround sound.

Concerts

Each course culminates in a concert. The younger orchestras perform for family and friends, while Main and Under 13 Orchestras perform in public at major concert venues. Performances have been given at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Royal Albert Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Southbank Centre, The Sage Gateshead, Colston Hall, St David's Hall, Leeds Town Hall, Birmingham Town Hall, The Anvil, Basingstoke, Brighton Dome, Barbican Centre and Nottingham Royal Concert Hall.

Repertoire for the concerts is varied and includes Classical, Romantic, 20th and 21st century music, as well as film scores. The NCO has commissioned, premiered and played new pieces by contemporary composers such as Matthew Curtis and Stephen Frost. The Orchestras have a reputation for tackling challenging repertoire. As of 2011, recent performances had included Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and La Valse by Ravel (both performed by Main Orchestra) and Der Rosenkavalier Suite by Richard Strauss and Curtis' Paths to Urbino (performed by the U13 Orchestra).[4]

Tours

The NCO has been on tour, to Italy in 2008 when Lady Susanna Walton (widow of Sir William Walton) invited Main Orchestra to play in the Walton's open-air theatre within the botanical gardens of La Mortella on the island of Ischia. They also played a concert to a packed audience in the Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome.

In 2006 Main Orchestra toured to China where they took part in the International Festival of Music in Beijing. They performed in the Forbidden City Concert Hall and at the University of Beijing.

Alumni

After leaving the NCO many musicians continue to pursue other musical opportunities. Typically, over half of the NYO players have previously been members of the NCO (86 out of 156 in 2010[5]). The BBC Young Musician of the Year 2010 competition featured 25 category finalists, 13 of whom had progressed through the NCO.[6]

Many alumni become professional musicians, some playing for leading orchestras and ensembles. As well as those who build successful careers as professional musicians, many other NCO alumni go on to excel in other fields – medicine, law and engineering among others.

Notable alumni

Name Instrument/Profession NCO membership
Janice Graham Violinist 1980-2
Daniel Harding Conductor 1988
Guy Johnston Cellist 1992-5
Robin Ticciati Conductor 1992-5
Nicola Benedetti Violinist 1995-8
Katherine Bryan Flautist 1994-5
Martin James Bartlett Pianist 2007-9

See also

References

  1. ^ Ivan Hewett, 'The summer camp kids who turn into concert hall stars' https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/8159845/The-summer-camp-kids-who-turn-into-concert-hall-stars.html, 25 November 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2011
  2. ^ Christopher Walters, 'Playtime' in Music Teacher Magazine, October 2010
  3. ^ National Children's Orchestras Regional Orchestras FAQs
  4. ^ George Hall, 'National Children's Orchestras review' http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/dec/09/nationa-childrens-orchestra-clarkson-review?INTCMP=SRCH, 9 December 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2011
  5. ^ Jeremy Pound, 'Child's play' in BBC Music Magazine, February 2010
  6. ^ Retrieved on 12 April 2011.

External links

  • National Children's Orchestras of Great Britain

August 22, 2023
national, children, orchestra, great, britain, national, children, orchestras, great, britain, more, commonly, known, registered, charity, which, provides, orchestral, training, children, aged, organisation, comprises, three, banded, orchestras, four, project,. The National Children s Orchestras of Great Britain more commonly known as NCO is a registered charity which provides orchestral training for children aged 7 to 14 The organisation comprises three age banded orchestras and four project orchestras Entry is by audition and every year approximately 500 clarification needed young musicians are selected to play in the orchestras It offers a life changing experience to talented young musicians 1 Contents 1 About the NCO 1 1 The Orchestras 1 2 Projects Orchestras 2 Courses 3 Concerts 4 Tours 5 Alumni 5 1 Notable alumni 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksAbout the NCO EditThe NCO was founded in 1978 by Vivienne Price MBE Price a violin teacher had set up a number of local orchestras for children in Surrey but was acutely aware of the lack of national opportunities for younger musicians The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain had existed since 1948 and there were many regional youth orchestras which catered for teenagers but younger children struggled to fit in socially and so Price established the NCO 2 The Orchestras Edit There are three age banded orchestras Main Orchestra Under 13 Orchestra Under 12 Orchestra There is an under 11s orchestra and it used to have a residential course however it recently has been cancelled and assigned project orchestras alike the regionals see below Projects Orchestras Edit In addition to the age banded orchestras there are four project orchestras that meet around the country for 2 weekends per year Projects Orchestra rehearsals are for a more inclusive age and standard bracket Typically the project orchestras use schools or universities such as Goldsmith University and have sharing at the end of the course The project orchestras were introduced as something similar to the Regional orchestras after they were cut The regional orchestras were for national members and only regional members and took place in six locations across the country on Sundays In 2012 the organisation introduced an associate member scheme across all of their Regional Orchestras which gives talented youngsters who just missed out on an NCO place a chance to experience playing as part of a full symphony orchestra and to learn from members Regional Orchestra members met monthly during term time and give members additional opportunities to meet and rehearse new repertoire Typically each Regional Orchestra rehearses at a school or centre which is easily accessible and can provide facilities to accommodate a full symphony orchestra Each Regional Orchestra performed for family and friends once a year 3 Courses EditEach national orchestra clarification needed meets twice a year at residential courses around the UK where they receive training from leading music tutors and conductors Main and Under 13 Orchestras have an eight day course in the spring and another eight day course in the summer both ending in a public concert in a major venue as well as a non residential winter weekend for the Main orchestra the Under 12 Orchestra has 2 7 day courses a year with one private concert and one public after the second course The courses are spent in sectionals and full orchestral rehearsals preparing repertoire to be played at the end of course concert There is also time to explore other music and for recreation including something called surround sound Concerts EditEach course culminates in a concert The younger orchestras perform for family and friends while Main and Under 13 Orchestras perform in public at major concert venues Performances have been given at Symphony Hall Birmingham Royal Albert Hall Bridgewater Hall Southbank Centre The Sage Gateshead Colston Hall St David s Hall Leeds Town Hall Birmingham Town Hall The Anvil Basingstoke Brighton Dome Barbican Centre and Nottingham Royal Concert Hall Repertoire for the concerts is varied and includes Classical Romantic 20th and 21st century music as well as film scores The NCO has commissioned premiered and played new pieces by contemporary composers such as Matthew Curtis and Stephen Frost The Orchestras have a reputation for tackling challenging repertoire As of 2011 update recent performances had included Gershwin s Rhapsody in Blue and La Valse by Ravel both performed by Main Orchestra and Der Rosenkavalier Suite by Richard Strauss and Curtis Paths to Urbino performed by the U13 Orchestra 4 Tours EditThe NCO has been on tour to Italy in 2008 when Lady Susanna Walton widow of Sir William Walton invited Main Orchestra to play in the Walton s open air theatre within the botanical gardens of La Mortella on the island of Ischia They also played a concert to a packed audience in the Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome In 2006 Main Orchestra toured to China where they took part in the International Festival of Music in Beijing They performed in the Forbidden City Concert Hall and at the University of Beijing Alumni EditAfter leaving the NCO many musicians continue to pursue other musical opportunities Typically over half of the NYO players have previously been members of the NCO 86 out of 156 in 2010 5 The BBC Young Musician of the Year 2010 competition featured 25 category finalists 13 of whom had progressed through the NCO 6 Many alumni become professional musicians some playing for leading orchestras and ensembles As well as those who build successful careers as professional musicians many other NCO alumni go on to excel in other fields medicine law and engineering among others Notable alumni Edit Name Instrument Profession NCO membershipJanice Graham Violinist 1980 2Daniel Harding Conductor 1988Guy Johnston Cellist 1992 5Robin Ticciati Conductor 1992 5Nicola Benedetti Violinist 1995 8Katherine Bryan Flautist 1994 5Martin James Bartlett Pianist 2007 9See also EditList of youth orchestrasReferences Edit Ivan Hewett The summer camp kids who turn into concert hall stars https www telegraph co uk culture music classicalmusic 8159845 The summer camp kids who turn into concert hall stars html 25 November 2010 Retrieved 12 April 2011 Christopher Walters Playtime in Music Teacher Magazine October 2010 National Children s Orchestras Regional Orchestras FAQs George Hall National Children s Orchestras review http www guardian co uk music 2009 dec 09 nationa childrens orchestra clarkson review INTCMP SRCH 9 December 2009 Retrieved 12 April 2011 Jeremy Pound Child s play in BBC Music Magazine February 2010 Retrieved on 12 April 2011 External links EditNational Children s Orchestras of Great BritainThis article relies excessively on references to primary sources Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources Find sources National Children s Orchestra of Great Britain news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2007 Learn how and when to remove this template message Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title National Children 27s Orchestra of Great Britain amp oldid 1171366811, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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