The National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain (NCO) is currently touring the UK auditioning aspiring children who want to make the most of its wonderful training and performance opportunities. Once selected, they attend 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.
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 from www.nco.org.uk.