1. How can I schedule an audition for the choir?
A: Please contact our membership co-ordinator Kerry Holahan (
)
who can tell you when and where our next round of auditions will be held and
any other relevant information, including what will be required of you at the
audition.
2. How many concerts a year does the IFC perform?
A: The IFC performs 3 large concerts per year. Our first is held around Easter;
we have one in the autumn and an annual Messiah the first Saturday of December.
3. Does the chorus rehearse weekly?
A: No. The IFC follows the European Festival Chorus tradition of rehearsals
whereby music is distributed at the first rehearsal generally 4-6 weeks before
a concert. There will then be one or two scheduled sectional rehearsals (men
& women rehearsing separately from each other), small group rehearsals hosted
by members of the chorus at a time convenient to them, and a week of intensive
rehearsals immediately before a performance.
4. Are all rehearsals compulsory?
A: Yes. We perform to a very high standard and expect our singers to give maximum
commitment. That said, sometimes it is simply not possible to attend every rehearsal
and so each singer’s circumstances are dealt with on an individual basis.
5. If, due to circumstances beyond my control, I am unable to sing
in a concert will I have to re-audition for the next one?
A: No. Once a member of the International Festival Chorus you’re a member
for life. Past choristers have in the past, since leaving the city, travelled
back to Beijing to perform with us again.
6. Does it cost anything to be a member of the IFC?
A: We ask that all singers contribute to the development of the chorus by paying
an annual due of RMB 500 (students RMB 150). As the colours and designs of our
performance outfits change with every concert, women will also be required to
pay a nominal fee to help cover material and tailoring costs, however, chorus
funds cover most of this.
7. How many people sing with the IFC?
A: We have over 100 members; the average number of performers for any one concert,
however, is around 70 people.
8. I don’t speak Chinese, is this a problem?
A: Our rehearsals are conducted mainly in English. Important announcements are
made in both Chinese and English (our conductor and membership co-ordinator
are fluent in both languages). Even if English isn't your native language, chances are
there will be another national from your country who can help or, at the very
least, someone in the chorus who speaks your language.
9. How many countries are represented in the IFC?
A: We are called the International Festival Chorus for a very good reason as
there are at least 20 different countries represented by singers in the choir, including members from the UK, China, the USA, France, Australia, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Chile, Korea, Peru, Canada, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Israel, Sweden, Morocco, Malaysia, Singapore, Russia and Hong Kong.
10. I don’t read music. Can I still audition?
A: We do require fundamental sight reading skills. As the IFC is a festival-style chorus, there is significant time pressure on each member to learn the music quickly. The bulk of rehearsal time should be spent mastering the dynamics and phrasing, not learning basic notes. The lack of the ability to read music would make this a near impossible task.
11. I don’t sing but I want to support the IFC. How can I do
that?
A: We are currently developing our “Friends” network. Please send
us an email suggesting how you might like to help and we will get back to you.
Currently “Friends of the IFC” receive advance notification of our
concerts. You can also help by coming to our concerts and telling your friends
about us!
12. How is the IFC run?
A: We have a committee of 13 people who oversee everything from membership to
publicity to producing recordings of our concerts. All committee members are
also singers and all time spent working for the benefit of the choir is volunteered
– we all have day jobs as well! The IFC is a non-profit organisation and
none of the committee nor our conductor receive any fees at all. All the money
we raise goes to putting on bigger and better concerts.
FAQs 
