About

Courses

“The NCO courses have been an amazing experience and I have made the most amazing friends ever. Thank you for creating the highlight of my year.”
NCO member

Having successfully gained a place in the NCO, children are invited to attend our residential courses. These take place in or around school holidays, according to the different age-banded Orchestras:

	Spring	Summer
Main Orchestra	9-day course	9-day course
Under 13 Orchestra	9-day course	9-day course
Under 12 Orchestra	possible course (TBC)	8-day course
Under 11 Orchestra	no course	8-day course
Training Orchestra	no course	8-day course

To see an example course day for Main Orchestra and Training Orchestra, click here. For specific course dates please look at our What's On pages.

We design the courses to enable our young musicians to explore the orchestral experience and develop their musicianship. Our tutors are drawn from major national orchestras and specialist music schools around the country, and are leaders in their field when it comes to training young talent. The courses consist of full orchestra rehearsals and sectional rehearsals with instrument tutors. For the younger orchestras some of this time is also spent in choir rehearsals and ensemble playing.

Much more than just music practice, our courses also help to broaden the social development of our young musicians with time for sport, art and relaxing with friends. The children benefit from meeting and socialising with others who share their passion for music.

Each residential course culminates in a full orchestra concert performance. The Training, Under 11 and Under 12 Orchestras perform for family and friends, while the Under 13 and Main Orchestras perform in public at leading UK concert halls.

To read an account of one NCO member's summer course, click here.