News

29 Jan - Second Company Callback, 26th February

Those vocalists invited to the second callback last year can download the document with details by clicking here.

16 December 09 - Audition Results posted into Company documents folder

Audition results for the Company and Ensemble for 2010 are now available. Click here to download.

4 December - Instrumental Auditions

To be held on Friday 11th of December for the Performing Company and Performing Ensemble at Oak Flats High School.

Click here download the schedule of auditions.

1 December - Auditions for 2010

Information is being posted on the Performing Company page. Follow the link in the menu on the left.

30 November - Expression of Interest for Staff Positions in Southern Stars 2010

Applications are invited from school staff for a number of positions which will be open for Southern Stars 2010. 2010 will be the 10 year anniversary of the show.

Click here to download the information and application form. This information has also been advertised in InPrincipal.

Applications close Monday 7th December.

28th October - End of year Concert - Company and Ensemble.

Ensemble and Company members. Details about the 14th November can be downloaded from the Ensemble and Company web pages. Please check both if you are in both groups.

26 October - Reminder - Company End of Year Concert

Saturday 14th of November is the time for both the Performing Company and the Performing Ensemble end of year concert at Nowra High School. More information will be posted here soon.

23 October - Regional Auditions for 2010 Performing Groups

Information and an Apllication form is now available for auditions for Regional Performing groups for 2010. These include the Regional Performing Ensemble and the Regional Performing Company. The Performing Ensemble is the group that tours once a term. The Performing Company is the main avenue for inclusion in Southern Stars as a featured performer.

Of note is the extension of the Performing Company to include an auditioned choir in 2010.

Click here to download the Information and Application information.

Applications close on November 20 2009.

19 October - Auditions 2010

Information and a timeline for the Regional auditions for the Performing Company("Southern Stars") and the Performing Ensemble(touring group)will be posted this week. Please check the Regional Arts site regularly.

13 October - Evaluation

Now that everyone has had time to reflect on this year's show you are are invited to put forward your thoughts and comments on the show and its organisation.

Click here to download the evaluation form.

It should be returned to Sharon Buikstra at Nowra HS by October 30

WOW!

Fantastic Show!

Congratulations everyone.

A message from Kate, executive producer.

"Congratulations to every single student, teacher and parent who helped make Southern Stars 2009 such a huge success! Despite the aches and pains, no voices, blisters, bruises and bumps in unusual places there's also a lot of joy and laughter for having experienced one of those very special moments in life which will be treasured forever. Thank you everyone for your outstanding efforts to make this happen. You are all truly amazing STARS!"

Some pictures from show week leading up to the show. Click for a larger view.

27 August - Names For the Mercury Feature

We are all really hoping that the schools listed below get their information in to Sharon very soon so that their students will appear in the Mercury feature. If you are wondering about this scroll down to the item 6 August. If you know someone at these schools please give them a nudge to at least contact Sharon if there is a problem.

CHOIR

Lindsay Park Public School

DANCE

Corrimal High School
Goulburn High School
Marulan Public School
Tirranna Public School

26 August - 2009 Search For a Popstar

September is the month for would be pop stars to swing into action. You can get more information from http://www.popstaraustralia.com.au

25 August - Company Dancers and Southern Stars Ballet

Please check Bulletins for some important information.

24 August - Mercury Feature reminder for staff - due this Friday

Sharon has already been asked to provide information to the Mercury so please get moving if you haven't sent yours in. It is also important to send the information in the correct form. Use the spreadsheet created for the task.

Click here to download a copy. The file is named "StarsParticipationList09.xls"

24 August - Dress Rehearsal

The Company vocalists spent the last three days rehearsing with the orchestra. And some of that time they spent dressing up. Isn't it great? There are some more pictures in the gallery.

21 August - GLOW STICK orders due today.

20 August - Dr Seuss Rehearsal

What a rehearsal was this. Lots and lots happening all over the place. And it kept on just happening at an increasing pace ...

It's getting close when some of the costumes and props start appearing at rehearsals. Two weeks to go.

There are more photos in the gallery.

19 August - Puppet Workshop

These folk are making puppets at a workshop run by John Deacon last Friday. Why? Just for the fun of it!

Some of you will have seen John's puppets before in the Schools Spectacular.

15 August - Finale Dance Steps

In the Gallery. Just the steps, not the music. But it may be useful if you need to jog your memory.

12 August - Show Week Organisation

The document with detailed information for teachers for show week rehearsals and performances, Wednesday to Saturday,is in the documents folder.You can download a copy by clicking here.

10th August - Big Day For The Dancers - First combined rehearsal

7 August - First Combined Dance Rehearsal (Monday 10th)

If you missed it the day's schedule can be downloaded by clicking here.

6 August - The Mercury Feature

The Illawarra Mercury is planning a 24 page colour feature on Southern Stars a couple of weeks after the show. It will include stories, interviews, photos and the names of every person in the show and also those who helped to stage it. This will be a wonderful keepsake for everyone.

We need help to gather the names of participants in an appropriate form to pass on to the Mercury. We have prepared a spreadsheet and are asking staff to add the names and roles of participants in your school or group. The list is for both staff and students. We will be relying on you for the accuracy of the information.

The spreadsheet should then be emailed to Sharon.Buikstra@det.nsw.edu.au by Friday 28th August. An early return is good.

Click here to download a copy. The file is named "StarsParticipationList09.xls"

6 August - Finale Surprise

We may be making too much information public. But here goes. This year's finale will feature glow sticks. Every performer will have one. Teachers are asked to assist in the ordering process. Click here to download the information you need.

This information is due Fri 21 August.

31 July - Risk Assessment WEC

WIN Entertainment Centre has a Risk Assessment Document that will be of assistance to teachers. It is located in the documents folder linked from the menu to the left. The document is in MS Word format and located in a folder named Staff. If you click here you can download the document directly.

All documents which have a quick link from a news item are placed in the Stars 2009 Documents folder and can be accessed though the menu on the left.

News items tend to disappear down the page and you have to scroll down the page to find them. The 'Teachers Information Package' posted on June 3rd is an example. You may find it quicker to go straight to the documents folder to locate some items. To find the 'Teachers Information Package' go to Documents/Stars 2009 and then click on the folder 'Staff'

And please don't forget to check the Gallery for photos of rehearsals. They're not all there but quite a few are.

29 July - Rehearsals Rehearsals Rehearsals

Today saw rehearsals for Ballet, Ben 10 and Cartoon characters and Vogue. A big day which reflects some of the the variety in this year's show. If you check the calendar for the next month you can see that the pace is on. There is lots of rehearsal to come.

There are some more photos of today's rehearsals in the Gallery.

27 July - Vocalist August Rehearsals

There have beenchanges to the schedule for Sunday 9th. If you are in 'Sailing', 'Playing to Win' or 'Pure Imagination' you will need to download the corrected schedule and check it carefully. Use the link below.

July - Dance Rehearsal Schedule Overview

Now in documents.Click here to download.

There are a couple of additions to come. Please check the calendar on this site for those.

25 July - Vocalists August Rehearsals

Click here to download

25 July - Holiday Rehearsals

Kirby Burgess showing Company dancers how its done at rehearsal on Thursday. Kirby is choreographing an item for Southern Stars this year and is no stranger to the show. She featured as a singer and dancer and circus star over a number of years when she was a school student. Kirby now works as a professional performer.

There were a few rehearsals over the holidays for Company vocalists and dancers. Charmaine Gibbs worked with vocalists and Kirby worked with dancers and vocalists. More pictures in the gallery.

24 July - First Combined Dance Rehearsal Schedule

The schedule for the massed dance rehearsal at the Win Entertainment Centre on the 10th August has been posted in Documents.It can be downloaded by clicking here.

12 July - latest Choir Lyrics Booklet now available

Click here to download

10 July - Vocalists Holiday Rehearsal Schedule

Is now available in documents. Click here to download.

10 July - Orchestra Rehearses

Not all could be present today but today and this coming weekend the Southern Stars Orchestra will be having their first combined rehearsals. There are some more pictures in the gallery.

7 July - Your Disco Rehearsal

High School item choreographed by Troy Lester & Cassandra James. This was a well managed rehearsal by Cassandra.

There more photos in the gallery.

4 July - Integral Energy Vocal Workshop

Charmaine Gibbs, professional singer and vocal coach, working with members of the Performing Company on items for this year's show.

There are more pictures in the gallery.

3 July - "Bound For Glory" mass dance rehearsal

29 June - "Good Times" mass dance rehearsal

Regional Company dancers lead several hundred primary school dancers learning a routine for "Just For The Fun Of It" with Leigha and Tash cracking the whip.

There are more photoshere.

26 June - Web site closed for maintenance

This site will be closed for maintenance for 24 hours on Tuesday 30th June

26 June Things Due Today - see calendar

T-Shirt Orders for Stars

Music Camp tutor applications

23 Jun - Vocal Rehearsal Schedule for Sat 27 and Sun 28 June

Click here to download the rehearsal schedule

Click here to download the chart allocation schedule

19 Jun - T-shirt payments, a note from Sharon

"The total cost of $23.00 per t-shirt should be forwarded to Nowra High School. Please forward the GST in your payment."

17 Jun - OOPS - Mass Primary Rehearsal on the 29th -see below

The link to the document now works - click here.

Apologies to those who've beeen looking already

16 Jun - T-shirt Orders

A reminder that these are due by Friday 26th June. Click here for the order form if you missed it.

And here for the T-shirt sizes

10 Jun - Ballet Audition

Auditions will be held at Woonona High School on Monday 29th June. Interested students must register their interest by Friday 26th June. Click here to download the form.

Important note. The date for this audition has changed from the original. Some have already registered on an incorrect form. Please register again if you are one of those people so that we know you have the correct date.

10 June - Primary Mass Dance Rehearsal

For all primary dancers in the opening item "Good Times" at Shellharbour City Stadium on Monday 29th June. Click here for more details.

4 Jun - Southern Stars Orchestra Rehearsal Schedule

Available in the documents folder. Click here to download.

3 Jun - Southern Stars Launch

3 Jun - Teachers Information Package

The package is available in Documents/Staff and can be accessed from the menu on the left. Or you can click here to download the package.

25 May - Ballroom Dance Audtion Results

The two successful ballroom dancers are Shae and Simon from Nowra High School.

23 May - Southern Stars Orchestra

Click here to download the list of those selected.

If your name is in the above list please download the Welcome to Company and acceptance package, complete the forms and return your acceptance as soon as possible. Click here to download the acceptance forms.

20 May - Southern Stars Orchestra (previously called Showband)

Thank you to all the players who attended yesterday's workshop. A list of the selected Orchestra members will be published by the end of this week. As a member of the Orchestra you will be part of the Regional Performing Company.

A "Welcome to Company" Package will be published with the Orchestra names. You must return the Acceptance form from the "Welcome to Company" Package to confirm your place.

15 May - Showband Workshop Participants

Click here to download the list of participants.

15 May - Showband Selection Workshop Tuesday 19 May

Stageband players have been contacted if they are requested to attend the workshop. Today is the closing date for E.O.I. forms for string and wind players. A list of participants in the Selection Workshop will be posted on the website at the end of the day.

13 May - Teachers Meeting

There will be a meeting of all teaching staff associated with Southern Stars on June 2nd at Shellharbour Workers Club at 4:30pm.

Check the calendar for further detail.

12 May - Company Dancers please check Bulletins and Calendar for new information

8 May - Southern Stars Showband 2009 Expression of Interest

On Tuesday May 19th at Fairy Meadow Dem School there will be a workshop for the Band for Southern Stars 2009. It will be held from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

Performers for stageband and possible featured instruments were auditioned at the end of 2008. Invited players from those auditions will be contacted by Greg Costello or Kim Bell to attend the workshop as a callback. No new material will need to be played individually on the day. Chart arrangements for Southern Stars will be used for the final selection process.

New string and wind players are invited to attend the workshop, as the Southern Stars arrangements for 2009  will be using a more complete orchestration.

An expression of interest will need to be lodged prior to the day to be able to attend.

Successful participants may be requested to play at the Southern Stars Launch on  Tuesday 2nd June at Smiths Hill HS. There will be a rehearsal for the band to be used at the launch on Sunday 24th May at Fairy Meadow Dem School.

You will be expected to attend this sole rehearsal prior to the Launch.

Click here to download the Expression of Interest form. The completed form must be faxed to Merrin Ross by 15th May.

1 May - Ballroom Dance Audition

Southern Stars is inviting ballroom dancers to audition for an item
in this year's show. Interested dancers should present at Unanderra PS
on Saturday 23rd May at 10am.to 2pm. Dancers do not need to prepare
a dance as they will be taught choreography on the day.

Please note that this is open to high school dancers only.

No registration needed before the audition, interested dancers just need to turn up and register on the day.

Dancers need to aware that if successful they are required
to attend a rehearsal on Saturday 30th May and 6th June (if needed).

Any questions regarding the Ballroom auditions can be made to Cathy Broadbridge at Unanderra PS. Phone 02 42728730

8 Apr - Participating Schools Information

A link to the latest information is in the column on the right. This information is used for planning and organising Stars items, rehearsals and the event itself.

Staff of schools are asked to check this information and let us know of any changes that may have been made.

2 Feb - EOI Teacher Involvement

Opportunities exist for school staff to become involved in the production of Southern Stars 2009 in the following areas.

• Assistant Producer (with the intention on taking on the Producer’s role in 2010)
• Design Team
• Stage Management
• Choreographer
• Assistant to the Musical Director
• Vocal Tutors
• Dance Co-ordinator  - Primary
• Dance Co-ordinator -  High School

Click here to download the information and expression of interest form.

This information will also appear in InPrincipal

2 Feb - EOI School Involvement

Schools are invited to express interest in participating in the choir or dance items for Southern Stars 2009

Click here to download the information and expression of interest form.

This information will also appear in InPrincipal

16 Dec - Auditions for 2009 - Results

Performing Company Vocalists and Dancers can access the lists from the Performing Company page.

Performing Ensemble new members are listed on the Performing Ensemble page. Access this from the Regional Arts home page.

Instrumentalists please check early in Term 1 2009 for news of the Southern Stars Showband workshop and any show featured performers.