Some 400 talented children will make quite a noise this Sunday when they take over a stage on the South Bank. The National Children's Orchestra (NCO), which includes youngsters from all parts of the country, will give two concerts on December 16.

The orchestra has a reputation for nurturing some of the most-talented young musicians in the country.

Kate Gillett, 13, from South Norwood, will be playing the double bass. She joined a year ago after a successful audition.

Kate is also performing in the school play the night before the concert and has several sports medals.

She attends Croydon High School, where she currently plays in its full symphony orchestra of just over 100 12 and 13-year-olds. She is going to have to retire from the orchestra this year but said she will carry on playing with Encore, a group set up for older children.

She could go on to audition for the Youth Orchestra 40 percent of which is made up of ex-members of the NCO, but said: "I just like playing. If I got into a good professional orchestra I might continue playing but wouldn't automatically choose playing the double bass as a career."

Her mother, GP Nina Arjun, said: "She's quite an all-rounder. She's one of these children who are quite good at everything.

"Kate saw somebody playing bass at school it's a big instrument. She likes being different so being one of a lot of violins would not appeal to her."

Now 23 years old, the NCO began with a single orchestra of 70 young musicians. It is now made up of five regional orchestras of seven to 13-year-olds.

Entry is based on regional auditions and children have to re-audition every year.

But the NCO is not just about preparing the young Rattles and Glennies of the future for the concert platform it is also about creating new audiences and is dedicated to offering all its members a musically and socially enriching experience that is above all fun.

The children take part in week-long residential courses in school holidays with a guest conductor leading the main orchestra. The older children give concerts throughout the UK.

Kate has made a lot of friends through these courses. She is going to have five house guests the night before this concert from as far afield as Cheltenham and Lancashire.

She said: "We haven't seen each other for some months so it's going to be good fun to meet up with them again."

Sunday's programme will include Strauss' Overture Die Fledermaus, Britten's Matinee Musicales and Buckaroo Holiday from Romeo by Copland.

Dec 16, NCO Main Orchestra, Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre, 7.45pm, £6-£14, 020 7960 4242.

q Dec 16, NCO Under-13 orchestra, Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre, 3pm, £4-£12, 020 7960 4242.

December 10, 2001 20:23

Joan Gardner