Star Course is a live-concert promotion and production organization run by students for students and the Champaign-Urbana community. Members participate in all levels of event planning – from designing ad campaigns to doing ticket sales to staffing house and backstage positions on the day of show. Star Course is about diversity in music, creativity in learning and friendship in community.

History. Star Course is the University’s oldest student-run organization dating back to 1892. Designed to contract, promote and stage campus entertainment, Star Course brought its first orchestra to the University in 1912. Throughout the past century the organization has broadened its scope to jazz, big band, rock, comedy, R&B, hip-hop and soul acts. Today Star Course focuses on providing a diverse selection of popular entertainment to the University and C-U community.

Organization. Star Course is a non-profit, student-operated organization under the advisory of Assembly Hall. As a university talent-buying group, Star Course is remarkably independent. While many schools have small entertainment boards comprised of both faculty and students, Star Course is all students – top to bottom.

Leadership. Each year, Star Course selects 2 student senior managers and 14 junior managers to lead staff through the promotion and production process. Senior managers contract an average of 3 to 4 shows per semester, and junior managers direct staff through each phase of show preparation.

Experience. Members have the opportunity to participate on multiple committees both day of show and non-day of show. Opportunities include: Ad Design, Ad Media, Business Administration, Hospitality, Personnel, Public Relations, Publicity, Stage & Production, Tickets, Tech / Website, and Ushering.  Allowing members to contribute to several committees, non day-of-show committees are loosely grouped into three cooperative divisions: Advertising, External Relations and Internal Relations. The committees in each division work together to share ideas and support one another in their efforts.

Community. Star Course is about building a community of friends around music and sharing working, learning and social experiences. Members come into contact with hundreds of new people and are exposed to new types of music. Frequent shows, meetings and social events give staff the opportunity build friendships and share experiences.

Commitment. Staff members should be prepared for all-staff meetings, committee meetings, and regular social events. Show dates vary throughout the semester, and time commitment varies with the climate of the concert industry. Due to the short-term, fast-paced nature of the industry, staff should be prepared to be on-call and ready for action throughout the semester. Dues are collected once a year to cover t-shirts and social events.

Action. Star Course accepts new members at the beginning of each fall and spring semester. Managers are looking for new members who are interested in learning about the concert industry and willing and able to make the necessary time commitment. To apply, fill out an application available in Room 264Illini Union and sign up for an interview. The application process is informal in manner but significant in purpose.