Dear Parents/Carers,
Please find below some updates from NCCGB.
Course fees
The second payment of £100 for the Easter course was due on 17th January. I have still got many payments outstanding. If you have not made your second payment, I would be grateful if you could transfer this.
The final (balance) payment for the Easter course is due on Friday 28th February.
The standard balance payment amounts are:
Junior Choirs – £610
Senior Choir – £350
After the 10% discount, sibling balance payments are: (applicable where more than one child from the same family are attending the same course)
Junior Choirs (per child) – £531.50
Senior Choir (per child) – £297.50
As per my newsletter that I sent out in October, the actual cost of sending your child to each course is £910. If you feel able to donate £125 to meet the full cost of sending your child, or to make a partial donation towards the additional cost of your child’s attendance, we would be very grateful. All donations, however small make a difference. This will help us to ensure that NCC can continue to provide the same experience for your children into the future.
Travel insurance
It sometimes happens that due to a choir member becoming ill either just before the start of the course, or during the course, or sometimes due to unforeseen family circumstances, they either cannot attend or have to leave early. Please note that we are not able to refund fees in these circumstances. However, we suggest that the family travel insurance policy may well cover such eventualities and if not, it may well be worth arranging specific insurance.
Easter course
The course will be held at Bromsgrove School, Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire | B61 7DU
Bromsgrove School – Outstanding Education (bromsgrove-school.co.uk)
Registration
Registration will be staggered by choir as follows:
Junior Choirs – Sunday 13th April
- Green Choir 1.00 – 1.45
- Blue Choir 2.00 – 3.00
- Yellow Choir 3.15 – 4.00
Senior Choir – Tuesday 15th April 11.00 – 12.30
Please note that due to staffing and space constraints we cannot accept any children who arrive earlier than their allotted time. If you arrive early, we kindly ask you to wait outside until your choir is ready to register.
Details of where registration will take place will be in the course information that will be sent out in March.
Final day of the course
All choirs will be finishing at 12.30 on Saturday 19th April. From 11.30 – 12.30 there will be open rehearsals to give you the opportunity to see what your child has been doing during the week.
Detailed course information
I will keep you updated about plans for the course in my newsletters. I will then send out detailed course information, including a kit list and a schedule, in March.
If you are new to NCCGB and haven’t already registered for the members’ area of our website, you can do so here: Register – The National Children’s Choir
We store all choir information in the members’ area, including a handbook, which I hope should answer any questions you may have. However, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the course in between my newsletters.
Find Your Voice Campaign
On 18th March, we will be launching our Find Your Voice campaign.
We want to widen access to NCC for more children and young people from all walks of life.
This campaign is to raise funds to help us to keep our auditions free of charge.
We have already received match funding and need to raise a minimum of £2500. The campaign will only be live from 18th March to 25th March.
Please keep an eye out for updates on our social media and share far and wide.
Future Talent/NCCGB award
Applications open on 28th February for the Future Talent programmes.
NCCGB members can apply to Future Talent, providing they meet the eligibility criteria:
- From a household with income of £37,500 or less
- Under 18 years old as of 1st September 2025
- Lived in the UK for at least 3 years.
They have 3 different programmes, depending on the age of the applicant. Financial awards can be used towards 2026 course fees.
Alongside this, they have several named awards, one of which is a joint award between NCCGB and Future Talent, to provide a funded place on our courses.
All programmes are open to existing NCCGB members, including the joint award. However for the joint award, priority will be given to those who are not currently members of NCCGB. This is because we are working to widen access to musical opportunities for all.
You can find more information here: Programmes | Future Talent
Choir member achievements
Pauline Baiasu – Grade 7 music merit
Benjamin Cosadinos – was selected to perform The Snowman solo at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester with the Halle Orchestra in December.
Oliver Edwards – Grade 5 Theory – distinction, Grade 5 classical singing – Merit
Apple Hobden – Grade 6 musical theatre – merit
Isaac Taj – Grade 4 drums
Congratulations to you all from everyone at NCC.
I will send out another newsletter in February with more updates as I have them.
Best wishes
Nicole