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The National Children's Orchestra invites children from all over the UK to show off their skills

Issued: 15 July 2011

FROM: THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN

The National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain (NCO), one of the world's finest children's orchestras, is inviting children aged 7-13 to audition for a place in one of its renowned Orchestras in 2012.

The NCO offers unrivalled orchestral training and performance opportunities for young musicians who strive to be the very best they can be while having as much fun as possible along the way. In 2010 over 900 aspiring children applied for a place in a 2011 NCO Orchestra – a record for the NCO – and almost 500 were successful.

Instrumentalists who gain a place in one of the NCO's five age-banded Orchestras attend inspiring residential courses that give talented youngsters the chance to thrive amongst their peers. Tutors for these courses are selected from among the very best in the UK and come from conservatoires, specialist music schools and leading national orchestras such as the Philharmonia Orchestra and BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW).

"For our daughter the summer course was the best experience of her life and she would love the opportunity to experience it again. I don't think I have ever seen her look so happy and proud when performing," commented the delighted parent of one 10-year-old NCO member.

In addition, NCO members are given the chance to show audiences just what can be achieved when passion and talent combine. Each course culminates in a full orchestral performance, with the senior orchestras playing at well-known concert venues such as Symphony Hall, Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.

NCO tutor and acclaimed double bass player for the BBC NOW, Claire Whitson, added, "It is a fantastic feeling on concert day to see my section coming together as a team, not only as a section but as an orchestra. The progress made by the children always makes me beam from ear to ear and I love giving a good cheer at the end of the concert!"

All children apply and audition for a place in one of the NCO's Orchestras each year, even if they have been an NCO member in the past. This means that every child is on an even footing. Applicants do not need to worry about what formal grade exams they have taken – passion and musical ability are most important. Talent is the only criterion for winning a place with the NCO and full bursaries are available to assist those who may have financial concerns.

To audition on an orchestral instrument, young musicians must submit an application form which can be downloaded. For further information about the NCO auditions or about the NCO in general visit the website or phone 01934 418 855.

ENDS

For further information please contact: Katrina Kelly, NCO press office, telephone 01934 418 855 or email K.Kelly@nco.org.uk

NOTES FOR EDITORS

National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain Auditions

Timetable 2011

Abingdon	5 October	Leeds	29-31 October
Birmingham	3-4 October	Llandovery	3 November
Blandford	15 October	London	12-14 October
Bushey *	16-18 October	Manchester	8-9 October
Canterbury	18-19 October	Milton Keynes	19 October
Cardiff	2 & 9 October	Nottingham	25 October
Cheltenham*	28 October	Oakham *	15 October
Crowthorne	24-26 October	Petersfield	27-28 October
Dulwich	19-21 October	Plymouth *	14 October
Edinburgh	17 October	Radyr	8 October
Felsted	24-25 October	Shrewsbury *	24 October
Gateshead *	27 October	Wells *	31 October - 1 November
Hampstead	10-11 October	Weston-super-Mare	11-12 October
Kimbolton	26 October

* venues which are suitable for percussion auditions

The National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain provides young people with a world-class foundation in orchestral performance and musicianship. Around 900 young musicians aged 7-13 audition each year for a coveted place in one of its five age-banded Orchestras.

Once selected, they attend week-long intensive residential courses where they receive first-class training from tutors drawn from major national orchestras and the best specialist music schools around the country. Each residential course culminates in a full orchestra concert performance with the senior orchestras performing in concert halls all over the country from Birmingham to Gateshead, Cardiff to Nottingham as well as London and No. 10 Downing Street on occasion.

For its 30th anniversary in 2008 the NCO performed at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham where more than 500 members and ex-members performed to a packed house. The NCO also tours internationally, most recently to China and Italy.

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