Ana Vandepeer at the National Children's Orchestra

Date: Sunday 30 September 2007

Ana Vandepeer (Form 8) writes:

The National Children's Orchestra has five age-banded orchestras for children between the ages of 7 and 13 years, which draw together almost 500 talented musicians each year from all over the UK. The Main Orchestra - for the oldest - is one of the world's finest children's orchestras. The Under 13 and Main Orchestras give public performances two or three times a year and they have two week-long residential courses (Easter and summer). The Training Orchestra, Under 11 and Under 12 Orchestras give end of course concerts to parents and friends after week-long residential courses in the summer. With seven hours of music a day the courses are always stimulating and educational, but they are also great fun socially!

There are also monthly regional rehearsals for children from 7 to 14 years old. The South Easterly Orchestra I attend in Ashtead has an end of year concert at Hever Castle. Members of the NCO enjoy performing in concerts up and down the country. I was lucky enough to take part in the 25^th Anniversary Concert at the Birmingham Symphony Hall in 2002, when I was 8 years old. The 2008 30^th Anniversary Concert is also planned for the Birmingham Symphony Hall.

This was my fifth year with the NCO and I was playing in the 107- strong Under 12 Orchestra. The course took place at Ackworth Quaker School near Pontefract, Yorkshire and in the end of week concert we played:

• Delibes - Music from the ballet Sylvia
• Dvorak - From The New World Symphony
• Mussorgsky - Night on the Bare Mountain
• Malcolm Arnold - Carnival of Animals
• Shore - Lord of the Rings
• Williams - Hymn to the Fallen
• Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance No 4
• Saint Saens - Danse Macabre (my favourite!!!)

Please see link (Ana in rehearsals on the Summer 2007 Under 12 Orchestra residential course). http://www.nco-gb.org.uk/