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 and 2021 there was a digital version of the camp on a platform called the Digi Site, but since 2022, Side by Side is back on site at the Concert Hall. The 2023 camp will be our tenth in a row! Read more about it and see videos from all previous camps on our anniversary page: Side by Side 10 years.

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.

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.

In order for everyone to feel welcome and safe at Side by Side, we need to have many adults on site during the camp. In addition to professional musical leaders, we have a large number of employees and trained hosts on site. Track hosts and camp counselors for each track, location hosts in each room, accommodation hosts at the accommodation, office hosts in the office at the Concert Hall and a large number of volunteers with different tasks. Nevertheless, it is very important that all children under the age of 13 have accompanying adults with them. Together, we can help create a nice and safe Side by Side camp for everyone.

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, where they get to showcase their newfound abilities together. Follow our newsletter and digital channels to keep up to date about the concerts.