Austin Stars Performing Arts Association
History
The Austin Stars Performing Arts Association (ASPAA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded in the fall of 2005 by Brent Unger and Evan Morgan, both alumni of Star of Indiana, and Cathy Benford, former staff and board member of Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps, with the initial intention of creating the Austin Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. Efforts to form any kind of ensemble in 2006 were postponed when Mr. Morgan, a captain in the U.S. Air Force, was sent to serve in Afghanistan.
In the fall of 2006, planning continued for the 2007 season and their first ensemble was a 6-man brass ensemble. Their debut was at the Texas Drum Corps Preview on June 16, 2007. The brass ensemble performed two more times during that summer at Brass Hysteria in Bedford and Brass On The Bayou in Houston. Evan Morgan returned home safely in late July from his tour of duty in Afghanistan.
In 2008, the Austin Stars Drum and Bugle Corps fielded its first show. The Association also welcomed the Austin Independent Winterguard (ATX Winterguard) as the next member organization.
Show History:
2008: Broadway!
2009: Footsteps of a Soldier
Future
For 2009, the Association has reorganized to more effectively and clearly define the Association-Organization relationships, and will focus on planning and fundraising for our members groups. This new organizational structure will allow the Association to grow in a controlled manner while creating a unified strategy for the benefit of all members.
Trivia
The name "Austin Stars" was selected for three reasons:
- Five-point stars can be found all over Austin, especially downtown and at the Texas State Capitol Building.
- Austin is home (or second home) to many "stars" in the entertainment world. The city is known as the Live Music Capitol of the World and is famous for its 6th Street district, South by Southwest Music Festival, the popular PBS television program Austin City Limits, and another major music festival by the same name.
- The city of Austin is located in the heart of Texas, where "the stars at night are big and bright," according to the traditional song "Deep in the Heart of Texas."