Side by Side will return in both on and offline formats in June 2021, and applications are already open for many of the strands.

What is Side by Side?

Side by Side is a music camp for singers and musicians aged 6–23. The camp is divided into different tracks depending on interests and circumstances and aims to provide an option for everyone. In 2021, it will take place from the 19th-23rd June, concluding with a variety of different concerts to celebrate the pieces practised together.

Usually, Side by Side takes place on site in Gothenburg, Sweden, however, the pandemic led to a hybrid online, on site camp in 2020 and this format will be replicated in 2021. This means that you needn't worry about whether or not you'll able to travel to Sweden, as everyone will have the opportunity to get involved, wherever they live.

So, pen June 19th-23rd 2021 into your diary and keep reading to see how you can apply!

Watch the big digital concert from last year's hybrid Side by Side!

Registration process

For the coming Side by Side, an expression of interest will replace the traditional first come, first served sign-up process, as the organising team look to ensure that as many children and young people as possible can get involved and have something to look forward to next summer.

Applications are now open for all beginners' tracks, and you can send in expressions of interest for the beginners' orchestra and choir until March 31st.

Applications for levels above beginner officially closed on February 7th, however, it is still possible to express your interest for attending digitally or to submit a late expression of interest for any remaining slots in Gothenburg until April 15th. You will see on the page for your chosen track whether or not there are remaining slots, as it will state either 'Expression of interest open' or 'Expression of interest closed'. As long as it is open, then there are remaining slots which you can apply for.

So, how do I express interest in attending?

To express your interest in attending, click on the category further down the page which best corresponds to your circumstances. You will then be taken to the page for that category, which will provide you with all the information you need and a big button entitled 'Submit expression of interest'.

Some of the category pages also already list parts of the repertoire for you to download, but you will need to sign up to the Side by Side newsletter to acquire the login credentials for accessing them.

When on the page for your chosen category, make sure you check the following logos to see what the conditions for participating are and then click on the button entitled 'Submit expression of interest' to take your first step towards Side by Side 2021.

Rules relating to accompanying adults, if attending in Gothenburg

Unsure what exactly the logos relating to accompanying adults signify? Take a look at our key points relating to accompanying adults before you head down the page to the category of your choice.

Possibilities and considerations for attending without an adult
  • If you are over 13, you can attend the camp alone and stay overnight without an accompanying adult.
  • Children under 13 who wish to come to Side by Side and do not have an accompanying adult may be able to attend by becoming part of a camp counsellor group.
  • Camp counsellors only work day shifts, so children in camp counsellor groups will have to be taken home at night.
  • Camp counsellor groups are only available for the Upper Intermediate Orchestra, the Intermediate Orchestra, the Basic Orchestra, the Pre-Upper Voices Choir and the Children’s Choir.
  • Please note that there are only a limited number of camp counsellor group slots available.
When accompanying adults are required and what they need to consider
  • To be allowed to stay at the camp overnight, you must be at least 13 years old or be accompanied by an adult that you know.
  • If you want to be in the Beginners' Orchestra or the Beginners' Choir, you must have an accompanying adult you know who can bring you in to rehearsals and pick you up every day. The accompanying adult must be able via the phone number they provide on the Sunday and the Monday of the camp and must be on-site with you for the whole of the Tuesday.
  • When participating in the Open Choir, you will need to bring an accompanying adult if you require help with things like attending lunch or transferring between locations.
  • For all other tracks (i.e. not the Open Choir, the Beginners' Orchestra or the Beginners' Choir), Side by Side will want you to have an adult you know present if you are under 13 years old.
  • Accompanying adults do not need to submit expressions of interest. Once participant slots have been confirmed, accompanying adults will be able to sign up and pay their participation fees in the same way as regular child participants do.
  • Accompanying adults will be expected to take full responsibility for their child/group during the camp, no matter which track they are in. The same applies to playing supervisors in the Inetermediate Orchestra and the Basic Orchestra.
Ready? Choose your category!

Click on the category of your choice below to head to the relevant information page and make a start on submitting your expression of interest!

Orchestras
Choirs
Early & Folk Music
Want to help make Side by Side even better or to support the organisers?

Side by Side encourages increased youth engagement through the creation of an Ungdomsstämma for those 13-25 year olds who wish to play a role in influencing how Side by Side is run and how it develops going forwards.

find out how to become part of the Ungdomsstämma!

And, it’s not just 13-25 year olds who can get involved in helping plan and prepare for Side by Side. The core team heartily welcomes volunteers who are able to offer their commitment, time, hands and hearts in exchange for experiencing first-hand this heart-warming and overwhelming event.

As yet, the exact arrangements for volunteers in 2021 haven't been determined, but, as soon as they are, they will be available via the following link. So, if you would like to help out at Side by Side 2021, visit us again in the new year, when more information about the volunteering opportunities should start to become available.

find out how to become part of the Side by Side volunteer team in 2021!

Anything unclear?

If you still have questions about registering for or attending Side by Side 2021, then the following links can help you find more information.

access detailed information on filling out the expression of interest form

find out more about travel, accommodation and food at Side by Side 2021

And, if you still have questions after having looked at the information pages, then you can contact the Side by Side team directly. The following link will take you to a contacts list, where you will be able to decide who is the right person for your enquiry.

go to the contact page for members of the Side by Side team

Good luck getting selected & enjoy your time at Side by Side 2021!