The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra announces open auditions for the 19th Annual Hoosier Star Vocal Competition. Auditions will be held on March 16 from 9 to 5 pm CDT and from March 17 from 1 to 5 pm CDT at the Presbyterian Church of La Porte, 307 Kingsbury Ave.,La Porte, IN 46350.
Sponsored by Horizon Bank, NIPSCO, Northwest Health, and Duneland Media, the Hoosier Star competition brings together amateur singers 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). Competitors can compete individually or as a duet. Ten finalists, five in each age group, will advance to the final event where they will sing a solo with the orchestra and have the chance to win monetary prizes along with the title of 2024 Hoosier Star.
The ten Hoosier Star finalists will perform along with members of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Dr. Carolyn Watson on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium. Audience members, as well as a panel of judges, will choose the final two winners in each age division based on that evening's performances. First and second place winners in each division will receive $1,000 and $500 respectively.
Audition forms can be found HERE. Contestants are encouraged to pre-register for a guaranteed time slot. The registration fee for auditions is $20 per person or duet. If a competitor would like to audition as a soloist and a duet, the competitor must submit two separate audition forms, including two separate fees. Audition applications must be received by March 12 to guarantee an audition time slot. Walk-in auditions will be available at the end of each audition day.
Hoosier Star is open to amateur soloists and duets only; no group performances may enter, and both competitors in a duet must be in the same age division. For auditions, applicants may provide their own accompanist (a piano will be available) or supply a digital mp3-4 capable device (in most cases, a smart phone). Acapella singing will not be allowed. A contestant of any age must be an amateur vocalist and must be a resident of Indiana or Berrien County, Michigan. For more information and to download an audition form or rules sheet, please visit the Hoosier Star Web Page or contact hoosierstar3@yahoo.com or call 219.362.9020. Applicants will be notified of their assigned audition date and time within a week prior to auditions.
Pictured above: Hoosier Star Winners and Runners-Up, 2023 with LCSO Music Director and Conductor Dr. Carolyn Watson, LCSO Executive Director Emily Yiannias, and Emcee Jeremiah Mellen.
About the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra
The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra is a cornerstone of the vibrant arts landscape in Northwest Indiana. The orchestra serves the 110,000 residents of La Porte County and regions beyond, including Southwest Michigan. Now in its 51st season, the LCSO has grown from a small community orchestra into a dynamic, professional orchestra of 60 musicians serving audiences from seven counties. Each year, the orchestra presents four subscription concerts, in addition to the Hoosier Star, Holiday at the Pops and Children's Education concerts.
La Porte County Symphony Orchestra | PO Box 563, La Porte, IN 46352 | 219.362.9020 | executive@lcso.net | lcso.net