Introduction National Youth Chamber Orchestra National Youth Wind Ensemble National Children`s Wind Orchestra National Children`s Chamber Orchestra National Children`s Wind Sinfonia National Children`s String Sinfonia Concerts Applications Other Information Musicale		NCWO are the umbrella initials of the original charitable trust - the National Children’s Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, formed in 1984 (registered charity number 326785). As standards rose and the musical demands of the players changed, more ensembles were added. Today there are three wind orchestras and three classical orchestral groups. The six groups are chosen by audition around the winter half term period, and those selected attend a residential course the following Easter at Queenswood School, Hertfordshire. Each course has its own identity, rehearsing in its own part of the school, but the NCWO is also well known for its social and pastoral programmes, which take place alongside the important musical content of the course. The disco, the late night football in the sports hall (won by the staff team last year), the swimming, the tennis, the staff cabaret and the sixth form bar all contribute to an exceptional week of music making and the forging of new friendships. The NCWO structure Wind Orchestras Chamber Orchestras The National Children’s Wind Sinfonia (NCWS) The National Children’s String Sinfonia (NCSS) The National Children’s Wind Orchestra (NCWO) The National Children’s Chamber Orchestra (NCCO) The National Youth Wind Ensemble (NYWE) The National Youth Chamber Orchestra (NYCO) Applications are invited from players of all orchestral and band instruments from age 10 to 19 and with a minimum standard of grade 5, up to players who are in their first year of college/university and beyond diploma level. Players will be placed in the appropriate group depending on the results of the auditions. Players selected for NCWS and NCSS are grade 5 upwards Players selected for NCWO and NCCO are grade 7 upwards Players selected for NYWE and NYCO are grade 8/diploma Concert schedule 2009 NCWS, NCSS, NCWO and NCCO will give one concert at the end of the Easter Course. NYWE and NYCO will give two concerts in 2009, one at the end of the Easter Course and the second in July at the Cheltenham Music Festival. Members of NYCO and NYWE may have opportunities to play chamber music during the Easter course. Landmarks Two appearances live on breakfast television, a radio broadcast during BBC Royal Albert Hall Promenade Concert 2000, subject of a Channel 4 documentary, represented Great Britain at WASBE international conferences in Sweden and Ireland and also the Shrewsbury International Music Festival, toured Poland, commissioned numerous new works many of which are now standard repertoire played all over the world, performed concertos and organised masterclasses with eminent musicians. The NCWO has accepted an invitation from the Cheltenham Music Festival for the NYCO and the NYWE to take part in their 2009 programme. Staffing 45 professional musicians and peripatetic teachers combine to provide the best possible sectional tutoring, and there is a team of pastoral staff and a matron to ensure a happy and safe environment. Fees As a guideline, last year’s fees were:- £630 for NCWS and NCSS, £700 for NCWO and NCCO and £890 for NYCO and NYWE. Bursaries are available in cases of need. Application To apply click here