ABOUT THE CAMP

Side by Side by El Sistema is an international orchestra and choir camp. Children and youth from Sweden and several other countries rehearse together in central Gothenburg with the Concert Hall as a focal point, under the direction of several exciting conductors, musicians and teachers. For those traveling in, accommodation can be made available in close connection to the rehearsal venues. In 2020, a digital version of the camp, Side by Side: Digital, was created.

To give as many as possible the opportunity to participate and develop at their own pace at the camp, the orchestras and choirs at Side by Side are sectioned into level appropriate tracks. To make the camp as fun and educational as possible, it's important that every participant chooses the appropriate track, and that everyone comes well prepared for their level. It is above all the repertoire that should decide which track you choose. Ask your instrumental/choir teacher for help, if your are unsure of which track to choose.

To some tracks you apply for a slot and to others you simply sign-up. We encourage all participants to stay in the same track for more than one year. Each track has its own repertoire and its own start and end date during the camp. Activities, rehearsals and the length of the day are all modified to suit. The tracks meet at joint rehearsals and concerts.

The camp days are filled with rehearsals and concerts as well as communal meals and other activities. Sometimes, the participants rehearse in small groups, section by section with an instructor for each group. Sometimes a whole section meets and sometimes all participants in a track rehearse together, the whole orchestra or choir at the same time. Some rehearsals are held in English.

One of Side by Side's main goals is to provide an opportunity for role modeling. It is educating and instructive to play and sing side by side with other participants of different ages and levels. That's why we let the tracks meet and make music together during the camp. The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra Vocal Ensemble are strong advocates of this learning method.

During Side by Side the participants play and sing at several different concerts. At the camp's Festival Concert all participants gather in Scandinavium for a huge musical feast side by side with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra Vocal Ensemble.