The NCO Projects programme is for ages 8-14 and includes two weekends of non-residential, daytime performance-based activities.
The Spring Projects programme 2023
In the spring our Projects orchestras in Bolton, Birmingham and London enjoyed their Move and Groove varied programme of music. Ryan Linham's new commission NCO Waltz for Pencils and Pens was juxtaposed with Antonín Dvořák's Slavonic Dance, Pyotr Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Ronan Hardiman's Lord of the Dance, Jacques Offenbach's Cancan and even Jackson 5's Blame it on the Boogie!
In Birmingham, Projects musicians were joined by amazing viola player Jordan Bak who performed Teresa Carreño's Mi Teresita and Astor Piazzola's Libertango. Musicians in London and Bolton performed a new commission from NCO in collaboration with ABRSM, as part of their Composer Mentor Scheme - Amit Anand and Ben Lunn's Rapper Dance.
Projects musicians played under the inspirational batons of Caroline Hobbs-Smith, Natalia Luis-Bassa,
Jonathan Bloxham and Otis Enokido-Lineham.
The Summer Projects programme 2023
This summer one of our London Projects orchestras were joined by superstar cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason as a guest artist, performing Teresa Carreño Mi Teresita and Astor Piazzolla Libertango. This is an exciting opportunity for the young musicians to chat and perform with a best-selling classical recording artist.
Meanwhile, our other London Projects orchestra and Projects North were joined by fantastic guest artists Helen Wilson (flute) and Armand Djikoloum (oboe) who gave the young musicians a chance to perform with amazing professional musicians in programmes inclusing Leroy Anderson The Waltzing Cat, Carlos Garcia Ritmos Ciganos and George Frideric Handel Royal Fireworks Music: 'Réjouissance' & 'Minuets'.
"It's given me more confidence in making friends outside of school. I would love to play in more
ensembles and orchestras for many years to come!" NCO Projects Member, aged 9
“(The music) was hard at first but at the end of the second day I was so proud... I loved it. It was really inspiring.” NCO Projects Member, Spring 2022
"NCO Project weekends are a gateway to a lifelong love of music making. The weekends are orchestral, creative and most importantly lots of fun. Put simply, bringing like-minded, aspirational young children together to share great music, is what NCO is all about." Catherine Arlidge, Artistic and Educational Director, NCO
Joining NCO
Auditions have now closed for 2024. Results will be sent out soon. Auditions for 2025 will open in spring 2024.
See more about joining NCO, including information on auditions, fees and financial support.
