Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions2020-03-12T03:39:56+00:00
Where is The Star Gold Coast Theatre?2020-03-12T03:32:42+00:00

The Star Gold Coast Theatre is located on Broadbeach Island in Broadbeach, half an hour from Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta, and a 90-minute drive from Brisbane.

Street Address
1 Casino Drive
Broadbeach
Australia 4218

Will there be eateries operating at The Star Gold Coast for students to buy lunch?2020-03-12T03:33:38+00:00

The Star Gold Coast offers a variety of dining options. The Garden Kitchen & Bar offers burgers for lunch, and M&G Café & Bar offers a variety of sandwiches, as well as burgers and bagels. The ASPIRE goodie bags also provide great discounts on food and drink, which can be redeemed at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

What are the ASPIRE goodie bags?2020-03-12T03:33:51+00:00

Each student will receive a small take-home memento with interesting freebies donated by local companies and events. Items include food and activity discount vouchers, and snacks.

I have special dietary requirements, will there be a suitable option at the Ice Breaker Welcome event?2020-03-12T03:34:04+00:00

The food trucks at the Ice Breaker Welcome event will cater for students who are gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan.

Where is registration on the day of adjudication?2020-03-12T03:34:18+00:00

Registration will be in front of the theatre. When arriving at The Star Gold Coast, please make your way through the main entrance down the stairs to the theatre. From there you will be directed to your allocated warm up room. Please ensure that you arrive 45 minutes prior to your adjudication.

Where should we take our ensembles for workshops and masterclasses?2020-03-12T03:34:30+00:00

Workshops and masterclasses will be held in The Star Gold Coast Event Centre, and at the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra Recital Hall, located at 7 Community Dr, Ashmore QLD 4214. It is up to the individual school to schedule a meeting point for these activities. Signage and staff will help direct those unfamiliar with the venue to their allocated classes. ASPIRE will have buses running between The Star Gold Coast and the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra Recital Hall, transporting students to their workshops and masterclasses.

When will the final schedule be released?2020-03-12T03:34:42+00:00

It is our aim to confirm the final schedule of events by mid-June.

What is involved in the workshops and masterclasses?2020-03-12T03:34:57+00:00

Workshops will be conducted by one of the adjudicators who assessed your ensemble’s performance. The purpose of this session is for the adjudicator to provide feedback to the conductor and students and work with them to assist and improve their preferred area of focus – set-piece or chosen piece. This activity will take place in ensemble groups. The masterclasses will be conducted by a master clinician, focusing on a particular field. Students will be separated into instrument groups for these sessions, which cover breathing techniques, instrument skills and career opportunities.

How long are the adjudicated performances and public performances?2020-03-12T03:35:16+00:00

For your adjudicated performance, you will be allocated 20 minutes, which consists of 15 minutes’ instrumental time and 5 minutes total to enter and exit the stage. Public performance time will vary from 20-30 minutes’ instrumental time, however, the 5 total minutes to enter and exit will remain. Please check the schedule for more details (timing provided in the schedule will be from the time you enter to the time you exit stage).

Will I still receive a goodie bag if I miss the Ice Breaker Welcome event?2020-03-12T03:35:29+00:00

Any students who are unable to make the Ice Breaker Welcome event will be able to collect their goodie bag at registration, located in the front of the theatre. We encourage students to collect on the first day of the festival so they can make use of the goodies over the course of ASPIRE.

Will there be storage for instruments?2020-03-12T03:35:42+00:00

All schools will have access to secure rooms for their instruments while they explore the Gold Coast. However, while these rooms will be monitored, ASPIRE takes no responsibility for the theft or damage of any students’ belongings. To assist in identification efforts, please ensure all student belongings are clearly labelled.

What are students required to wear to the Ice Breaker, Workshop, Masterclasses and Public Performances?2020-03-12T03:35:58+00:00

It is up to each school to decide and inform students on appropriate uniform. For the Ice Breaker Welcome event on Wednesday evening, we suggest a casual music or school uniform. We’d like your students to wear the ASPIRE T-Shirt to all the masterclasses.

Where are my workshops and masterclasses located?2020-03-12T03:36:29+00:00

The workshops and masterclasses are spread across 8 rooms:
Broadbeach Rooms 1 and 2 – The Broadbeach Rooms 1 and 2 are located within The Star Gold Coast Complex. Please see signage and refer to staff members for directions.
Coolangatta Rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4 – The Coolangatta Rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4 are located within The Star Gold Coast Complex. Please see signage and refer to staff members for directions.
Gold Coast Youth Orchestra Rooms 1 and 2 – The Gold Coast Youth Orchestra Rooms 1 and 2 are located at the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra Recital Hall, located at 7 Community Dr, Ashmore QLD 4214. Buses will be transporting students and teachers from The Star Gold Coast to GCYO for workshops and masterclasses and will be departing 30 minutes prior to their scheduled start.

What is involved in the Creative Improvisation Masterclass?2020-03-12T03:36:43+00:00

The Creative Improvisation Masterclass explores the growing role that contemporary string players are enjoying in jazz, folk, world, rock, and pop styles. This masterclass explores your individual sound, your rhythm, and your “musical voice” as a collaborative and creative player. It will open pathways to build improvisation into your current classical music program. Explore how to develop structured and free improvisation, develop musical ideas, ‘solo’, find rhythmic grooves and develop accompaniment lines, expand bowing patterns and use scales or modes in improv.

Will there be transport between venues?2020-03-12T03:36:58+00:00

Yes. ASPIRE will have buses running between The Star Gold Coast and the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra Recital Hall, transporting students to their workshops and masterclasses. All public performance venues are within 15 minutes walking distance from The Star Gold Coast. Please be aware students must be chaperoned by their teachers as per the school policy.

Why are my students split in different masterclasses?2020-03-12T03:37:11+00:00

Students will be separated and mixed into instrument/voice groups for these sessions, which cover breathing techniques, instrument skills and career opportunities. ASPIRE is a festival based around international connectedness, in order to facilitate this, we have integrated students from different schools in each masterclass.

Why is there a maximum number of students that can attend each masterclass?2020-03-12T03:37:25+00:00

To ensure that students receive the best experience possible, clinicians have requested a maximum number of students in each of their classes. This enables students to have a more personalised experience and further their learning.

How do I register my students for masterclasses?2020-03-12T03:37:37+00:00

ASPIRE has allocated your students to specific masterclasses in the festival schedule. Please confirm the number of students who will be attending each masterclass by returning the ‘Masterclass Confirmation’ Form via email no later than Friday, 14 June 2019 to Stephanie at stephanie@aspiremusicfestival.com.au. Failure to return this form will result in loss of spots in the masterclass.