National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain

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 13. The organisation comprises six age-banded orchestras and five regional orchestras. Entry is by audition and every year approximately 500 young musicians are selected to play in the orchestras. It offers a life-changing experience to talented young musicians.

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.

There are six age-banded orchestras:

The Main Orchestra (Under 14) is one of the finest children's orchestras in the world. To get into any of these orchestras, the children have to audition. Even if you are already a member, you must re-audition before you are accepted for the NCO again.

In addition to the age-banded orchestras, there are five regional orchestras:

* Director of Music column indicates the conductor for that regional orchestra, who is independent and not directly affiliated with the National Children's Orchestras. Where this field is left blank, the orchestra is led by staff directly employed by NCO.

The senior regional orchestra of London rehearse in the Royal Albert Hall, having previously rehearsed in the St Pauls Boys School (until Jan 2016).

Regional Orchestra rehearsals are optional for members and include children across the full age range. In 2012, we introduced an associate member scheme across all of our 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 meet 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 performs for family and friends once a year.

Each orchestra meets once or 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 a nine-day course in the spring and another nine-day course in the summer, as well as a non-residential winter weekend. The younger orchestras have an eight-day course in the summer. The courses are spent in sectionals and full orchestral rehearsals, preparing repertoire to be played at an end of course concert. There is also time to explore other music and for recreation.

...
Wikipedia