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 membership secretary via the link on the Sing With Us page. We will then confirm with 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 in Beijing and Shanghai each perform 3 large concerts per year, and sometimes a special fourth concert for a guest conductor or special occasion. 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 British 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 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 are a member for life. Past choristers have, since leaving China, travelled back 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 can 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 partial cost.

7. How many people sing with the IFC?
A: We have over 80 members; the average number of performers for any one concert, however, is around 60 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 business director 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, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Chile, Korea, Finland, Canada, the USA, Peru, Portugal, Sweden, 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. Rehearsal time as an ensemble is spent on musicality, expression, and ensemble skills. The bulk of learning what is 'on the page' is each member's individual responsibility.

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 does the IFC operate ?
A: We have a committee of volunteers who oversee everything from membership to publicity to producing recordings of our concerts. All committee members love choral music, and have day jobs as well! The IFC is a non-profit organisation: 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.