1. How can I schedule an audition for the choir?
2. How many concerts a year does the IFC perform?
3. Does the chorus rehearse weekly?
4. Are all rehearsals compulsory?
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?
6. Does it cost anything to be a member of the IFC?
7. How many people sing with the IFC?
8. I don’t speak Chinese, is this a problem?
9. How many countries are represented in the IFC?
10. I don’t read music. Can I still audition?
11. I don’t sing but I want to support the IFC. How can I do that?
12. How is the IFC run?
1. How can I schedule an audition for the choir?
A: Please contact our audition co-ordinator (auditions_at_beijingifc.org) 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 dues of RMB 800 (students RMB 250) or RMB 300 (students RMB 100) per concert.
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: There are many ways to support the IFC! You can support us by becoming an IFC Friend, attending the annual Gala Dinner or becoming a volunteer. Thank you!
12. How is the IFC run?
A: We have a committee 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 not-for-profit organisation registered in Hong Kong. None of the committee nor the conductor receive any fees for their activities on behalf of the International Festival Chorus. All monies raised from ticket sales go to putting on bigger and better concerts.