Sing dela Sing - Die Vorweihnachts-Edition

In the organizer's words:

"Everyone sings - all night long".

Sing dela Sing's motto really sums it up: group karaoke for everyone who doesn't like singing alone. It's a simple concept that hides great moments of happiness.

Once a month, Berlin musicians Gunter Papperitz and Cem A. Süzer sing with their audience across all vocal ranges and age groups - far removed from church choirs and choral societies. The FAQ brings this wonderful event to Vorarlberg. Gunter Papperitz reveals in an interview why it will be so much fun.

Gunter, your singing evenings in Berlin are almost always sold out. Why is singing together so much fun?

"Singing can be terrible when you're being shown up or exposed. I remember when we had to sing in front of the whole class at school. And if you can't do it or you've just had a voice change, it's totally mean. Even if you're all alone on a karaoke stage, it can get embarrassing very quickly."

And what's it like for you?

"Most people go home after a Sing dela Sing evening and think: 'Wow, that actually sounds really good - and I thought I couldn't sing'. I think that's why Sing dela Sing works so well. Everyone can join in straight away. You don't have to learn anything and you don't have to have any prerequisites. What's more, everyone experiences a sense of achievement relatively quickly. Because when everyone sings together, it never really sounds like shit."

So is it easier to sing in a group?

"As I said, singing in front of others can be really awkward and embarrassing. People also prefer to sing in private, for example in the car or in the shower. A professional singer recently told me that she prefers to sing in the car because she is completely alone there and can finally sing the way she wants to without having to worry about whether anyone is listening to her. There are also moments like this at Sing dela Sing. We want to create a space where you can simply do what you feel like doing. There's a large group in which you can live it up, but you can also go under or hide. We want singing to be associated with something positive."

Sounds a bit like a big group therapy?

"Oh, that makes it bigger than it is. I'm really just a pianist who sits up front and is good at leading people to sing. That's all it is. I wouldn't say that anyone will get their problems under control and I'll soon be able to get paid by the health insurance fund (laughs).

Sing dela Sing is an event that many people do together, but everyone experiences it differently. Some are totally euphoric, others totally relaxed. There are people who literally drag themselves to us after work because they've already bought tickets. And although they have absolutely no desire to sing, after three songs they have forgotten all the stress of the day and sing their hearts out."