Dear Parents/Carers
A few updates from NCCGB
Easter course
We all had a wonderful time at the Easter course. It was a pleasure to look after your children and to hear them sing. If you were able to attend the Open Rehearsals on our final morning, I hope you enjoyed hearing a snapshot of what they had been learning.
Congratulations to our choristers of the course and to those who participated in our cabaret evening. I am always in awe of their performances.
Summer course
The summer course will be back at Bromsgrove School, from 28th July to 3rd August, for all choirs. I will confirm drop off times for 28th July in my next update.
I have a waiting list for the summer course, so if your child is no longer able to attend, I would be grateful if you could let me know as soon as possible, so that I can offer their place to another child.
Summer course payments
The remaining payments for the summer course are due as follows:
£100 – Friday 3rd May
£572 – Friday 14th June.
If you are in receipt of a bursary or a sibling discount, this should be taken off the balance payment due on 14th June.
Summer concert
Our summer concert will take place at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, at 3.30pm on 3rd August.
Map and Directions – Royal Birmingham Conservatoire | Birmingham City University (bcu.ac.uk)
We will travel there in the morning by coach, and the children will bring their luggage with them. Parents/carers will then be able to collect the children from the Conservatoire after the concert.
At this stage I would anticipate that you will be able to collect your child around 6.30 – 6.45pm but please note we cannot guarantee any specific timings as we will have over 200 children to return safely to their parents and carers.
The concert will be open to the public, but we will have a window for ticket sales exclusively for NCCGB families. Please note that tickets will initially be limited to 2 per family to ensure that all families are able to attend. After that it will be possible to purchase more tickets should you wish. All seating is unreserved, so it will still be possible to be seated together if you wish to purchase more tickets.
I will confirm more details about the concert when I have them.
Concert uniform
- Smart black trousers
- NCC T-shirt
- Smart flat black shoes with soft soles
- Black socks/knee highs
- Smart black trousers DO NOT include jeans, cords, leggings, cargo trousers, jogger bottoms etc.
- Smart black shoes DO NOT include boots, such as Doc Martens
- Items must be black, not dark grey, charcoal etc.
- All uniform items must be clean and pressed.
- Only minimal make up will be allowed.
- No nail varnish may be worn.
- Hair must be tidy and tied back from the face if necessary.
Please ensure that your child has the correct uniform for the concert. They may not be able to participate in the concert if they do not have the right uniform. We will bring T-shirts to the summer course for those who did not attend at Easter.
Senior and Tour Choir recital
Senior and Tour Choir will be giving a recital in St Johns Church in Bromsgrove from 2.30 – 3.30 on Wednesday 31stJuly. This will be open to the public, and any parents/carers who would like to come and listen are very welcome to do so.
2025 course dates
Please note that you can find course dates on our website here:
Course Dates – The National Children’s Choir (nccgb.com)
Our 2025 courses will be held at Bromsgrove School on the following dates:
Easter (Junior Choirs) – Sunday 13th April – Sunday 19th April
Easter (Senior Choir) – Tuesday 15th April – Sunday 19th April
Summer (All Choirs) – Sunday 3rd August – Saturday 9th August
Choir member achievements
Tom Fitzgerald passed grade 7 singing with distinction.
Rupert Fitzgerald passed grade 5 with distinction and has been awarded a singing scholarship to Wellington College.
Eva Harrison sang a duet with a Bulgarian pop star live on national Bulgarian television. This was part of a campaign for UNICEF raising funds for child victims of violence.
Jessica Ivey has achieved Grade 8 singing, with Merit. She has also been accepted to Tring Park School to study Commercial Music for 6th Form.
Julice Liecier participated in The Assembly, broadcast on BBC1, including singing and featuring in the Radio Times.
Thomas Ormond gained his Diploma in Violin with Merit
Katy Rees gained Flute Grade 8 with distinction.
Tom Roberts is in his first year at the University of Bristol reading music and sings with the University Madrigals and University Singers. He had the opportunity to sing in Westminster Abbey this April.
Genevieve Schneider-Price performed Mozart’s Requiem at Canterbury Cathedral as part of the Canterbury Choral Society.
Isabella Shirley has successfully applied to Chetham’s School of Music for Sixth Form, with first study voice and second study violin.
Jessica Williams gained a distinction in grade 4 singing. She also got into Ealing Youth Orchestra which is entrance by audition only.
Congratulations to you all!
I will send a further update at the start of June with more information for the summer course. If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please note that all my news updates are stored in the members’ area of the website.
Best wishes
Nicole
Links
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Course Dates – The National Children’s Choir (nccgb.com