Two brass musicians from Oundle have been selected to join the U13 National Children’s Orchestra (NCO). Both Isla (Sco) and Arun (Sco) play the French horn and have been invited to participate in the NCO residentials in the Easter and summer holidays.
Isla has been playing the French horn for four years. She also studies piano and violin, and takes full advantage of the opportunity to play in ensembles at School, including Scott Brass, the Horn Group, Concert Band 2, Oundle Strings, Chamber Orchestra, and a string quartet. She holds a Music Exhibition. Isla is already an experienced NCO member, having participated in their residential programmes for the previous three years, as well as the NCO’s Easterlies days.
This will also be Arun’s fourth year with the NCO, alongside their Easterlies days. At School he holds a Music Exhibition, and plays with a string quartet, the Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band 2 and Choir. He has been playing the French Horn for four years, and also plays the cello and sings.
The NCO is an essential training experience for promising young musicians. Pupils are selected to attend two residentials, each lasting eight days. On a typical course day, pupils spend seven hours in rehearsals, made up of full orchestral rehearsals and sectionals led by an experienced conductor and supported by a team of music tutors. The week culminates with a concert held in a prestigious concert hall.
