Do you have that star quality? The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra is looking for contestants for the eleventh annual Hoosier STAR competition. Sponsored by Horizon Bank and NIPSCO, Hoosier STAR is open to amateur singers of all musical styles and age groups. This year, duet competitors are also invited to audition! Auditions will be held at the La Porte Little Theatre, 218 A Street, La Porte, IN on Saturday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) and Sunday, March 20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT).
Hoosier STAR is a statewide vocal competition with all proceeds to benefit the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra. This years Hoosier STAR co-chairs are Nanda Danitschek and Jeremiah Souza, both past winners of the competition. " Hoosier Star is such an incredible event," states Nanda. " Every year audiences are amazed at the talent our communities are blessed with. As a performer, there is no better audience or accompaniment than the La Porte County Symphony and Hoosier STAR!"
The Hoosier STAR competition brings together amateur singers throughout the state to compete for recognition and cash prizes. Contestants are divided into two age groups: Youth - 17 years old and under; and Adult - 18 years old and over (at the time of auditions). Ten finalists, five in each age group, will advance to the final event and the chance to win monetary prizes along with the title of 2016 Hoosier STAR winner. Duet performers will enter as and be considered one finalist per each duet group.
The ten Hoosier STAR finalists will perform along with the Hoosier STAR Orchestra, conducted by Philip Bauman on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium. Audience members will choose the final two winners in each age division based on that night's performances. First and second place in the Youth Division will receive $500 and $250 respectively. First and second place in the Adult Division will receive $1,000 and $500 respectively.
Registration forms can be found at HoosierSTAR.com. Contestants are encouraged to pre-register for a guaranteed time slot. The registration fee for the audition is $20 per person or duet. If a competitor would like to audition as a soloist and a duet, they must submit two separate audition forms, including separate fees. Audition applications must be postmarked by March 11th in order to receive a guaranteed time slot. Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis during the audition dates.
Hoosier STAR is open to amateur soloists and duets only; no group performances may enter, and both competitors in a duet must be from the same age division. For auditions, applicants may provide their own accompanist, use a CD with no lead vocals, supply a digital mp3 capable device, or sing a Capella. A contestant of any age must be an amateur vocalist and must be a resident of the state of Indiana or Southwest Michigan. For more information and to download an audition or rule form please visit HoosierStar.com or contact HoosierSTAR@LCSO.net or call 219-362-9020 Applicants will be notified of their assigned audition date and time within a week prior to the auditions.