The audience of a benefit concert for La Porte County Symphony Orchestra decides the fate of 10 singers.
Hoosier Star takes place Sept. 9 at La Porte Civic Auditorium.
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“It’s a great event that pulls everyone together,” said Nanda Danitschek, executive director of La Porte County Symphony Orchestra.
“There’s something for everyone. Anytime you’re bringing a diverse crowd of people together it’s uniting the community. On top of it, live performances, especially for children and youth, have been shown to have many positive effects.
“Just having a symphony in a town this small is so unusual. It’s really a cultural gem in the area.”
Youth Division finalists include Saige Brumbaugh, a student at Lake Street Elementary School in Crown Point; Peter Fulton, a junior at Colonial Christian School in Indianapolis; and Victoria Horne, a junior at South Central High School in Union Mills.
Schererville resident Hope Johansen, a student at Lake Central High School in St. John; and Jarynn Sampson, a freshman at Clay High School in South Bend, round out the Youth Division finalists.
“It’s all ages. It’s a perfect time for families, dates and girls’ night out. We have a lot of community support this year. The floor is always packed,” said Danitschek about Hoosier Star.
The Adult Division finalists are Julia Campoli, of South Bend; Stormi Staggers, of LaPorte; Joe Stewart, of LaPorte; Laura Whidden, of Berrien Springs, Michigan; and Evan Wooding, of Indiana.
Hoosier Star’s judging panel has expanded to four people. LaPorte residents Cathy Hofer, Trevor McDonald and Jennie Lee Riddle and Michigan City resident Aaron Garrett, a Hoosier Star finalist in 2013 and 2016, collectively count for 25 percent of the audience vote.
“It’s a huge platform for the finalists,” said Danitschek, a past Hoosier Star chair who won the 2010 competition and was named Hoosier Star of the Decade in 2015.
“Our finalists have moved into professional theater work and voice-over work in Chicago. Many of our finalists have recorded professional albums and done professional backup work. It also is our kickoff event to our whole season. It’s one of our biggest fundraisers of the year.
“All of the proceeds go toward our community engagement program and the sustainability of the season each year.”
The orchestra’s 2017-18 season includes “Tales from the Dark Side” Oct. 28 at La Porte Civic Auditorium, “Fantasia” March 11 at Holdcraft Performing Arts Center (formerly Elston Performing Arts Center) in Michigan City, and “Hollywood to Broadway” May 5 at La Porte Civic Auditorium.
Members of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, led by Philip J. Bauman, accompany the vocalists at Hoosier Star.
“I call Hoosier Star the party of the year,” said Danitschek. “It’s five youth and five adult finalists that sing all kinds of music so it’s different. It’s not your average symphony concert at all. There’s pop, rock and music selections that all ages would enjoy.
“We have various food vendors. There’s a cash bar and a lot of mingling. Fans can bring out their signs when their favorite finalist is up. It’s a really high-energy, good time.”
Vendors include Della Nonna’s Cookies, Jimmy John’s and Cafe Trilogy, all of LaPorte, and Ivy Tech Community College’s culinary school from Michigan City.
Hoosier Star also features encores from 2016’s competition. Adult winner James Neary, of LaPorte, will perform Queen’s “Somebody to Love” and youth winner Maddi Reese Ames, of Westville, will perform “Tomorrow” from the musical “Annie.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Hoosier Star
When: 7-9:30 p.m. Sept. 9
Where: La Porte Civic Auditorium, 1001 Ridge St., LaPorte
Tickets: $15 adult; $5 ages 12 and under
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Information: 219-362-9020; www.hoosierstar.com