The Southern Star Music Festival was created in 1993 in order to provide a fun and educational festival for high school, middle school, and elementary music ensembles. As each group performs, three highly accomplished veteran music educators provide scoring and feedback.
Each group has the choice to enter for the following categories: Competition/Rating, Rating Only, or Comments Only, and can also request a short onstage clinic with one of the adjudicators.
Every group receives judges’ comments, a recording of the performance, and a custom trophy. Groups may also compete for a Sweepstakes Trophy by attaining the highest score in their age/group classification. They may also attain the top award, Grand Champion Trophy, by attaining the highest score in either the entire Choral Division or entire Instrumental Division.
Performances are held in the Riverside EpiCenter Theatre, located next to Six Flags Over Georgia, the Paul Duke STEM High School Performing Arts Auditorium, located in Norcross, and the Norcross High School Performing Arts Auditorium, located in Norcross. Anyone is welcome to listen to groups perform free of charge at any of our locations.
Through our partnership with Six Flags Over Georgia, we provide specially priced packages for purchase. The park is open Saturdays and Sundays throughout the Spring and our Awards Celebration is held there each Saturday night at 7:00 pm. All groups are encouraged to attend this fun and festive event! All attendees must purchase a park ticket to enjoy the rides and attend the Awards Celebration.
If you decide not to attend the Awards Celebration and/or choose Festival Only, your trophy, recording, judges’ comments, and evaluations will be available at the EpiCenter approximately ten minutes after your performance.
More detailed information is available in the Southern Star Music Festival Director's Handbook.
