"Alice and I had an incredible time at the first National Children's Orchestra weekend! The music was amazing, and it was so inspiring to see all the talented young musicians. The sectional rehearsals were lots of fun, and we made some new friends. Before the weekend in Birmingham, we had online tutorials on the tricky parts of the music, and we also had an online meetup where we played funny games like a scavenger hunt. The tutors and conductor were very knowledgeable, making the long rehearsals enjoyable and engaging.

The NCO members' website has lots of things to do, including ideas for warm-ups and well-being tips, and we look forward to seeing the full recorded concert online soon. Some of the pieces we played included 'Fairies and Giants' by Elgar, 'The Muppet Show Theme' by Jim Henson, and the orchestra's favourite, the finale to the concert, 'Pirates of the Caribbean' by Klaus Badelt. The next orchestral weekend is in June, and while we already know some of the pieces, we'll keep them a surprise for now!

We're already looking forward to the next one!"

Chloe, Year 5