Hi-5 (Australian Kids' Band)
Encyclopedia
Hi-5 is an Australia
n children's musical group formed in 1998 which is associated with the children's television series
of the same name
.
, created "Hi-5" when her two children outgrew Bananas. She and co-producer Posie Graeme-Evans
decided the new show would be aimed at 2–8 year-olds, would include educational trends as fun and games, and would feature music and movement that would attract children's attention.
The audition
s for the hosts and the eventual members that would make up the group were held in June 1998, with the first program broadcast in January 1999. Since then, the group has won five ARIA awards for "Best Children's Album" (in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004), won three consecutive Australian Logie Award
s (the Australian awards for television performance and production recognition) for "Most Outstanding Children's Preschool Program" in 2000, 2001 (tied with Round the Twist
) and 2004.
Current members
Stevie Nicholson replaced Tim Harding
Former member(s)
Original cast
– Voiced by Tim Harding 1998–2007 (Series 1–9)
– Voiced by Noni McCallum 2007– Current(Series 10)(Hi-5 Circus)
-Voiced by Natalie Duarte 2008 – 2010 (series 11)(Playtime Tour)
– Voiced by Charli Delaney
1998–2002 (series 1–4)
– Voiced by Sophie Katinis
2003 (Series 5) (Hi-5 Live Come on and Party Concert)
– Voiced by Erin Marshall 2005–2006 (Series 7–8) (Live Space Magic Concert)
– Voiced by Noni McCallum 2006–2008 (Series 9–10) (Live Action Heroes, Live Circus Stageshow)
-Voiced by Natalie Duarte 2008 – current (series 11)(Playtime Tour)
, Singapore
and the United Kingdom
.
for its first birthday party.
, at least five of which have gone platinum in Australia. In addition, there is a range of DVD's and video
s (Region 4, PAL
colour), as well as games and puzzles.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n children's musical group formed in 1998 which is associated with the children's television series
Children's television series
Children's television series, are commercial television programs designed for, and marketed to children, normally scheduled for broadcast during the morning and afternoon when children are awake. They can sometimes run in the early evening, for the children that go to school...
of the same name
Hi-5 (Australian TV series)
Hi-5, an Australian children's television program, was first shown on the Nine Network in 1999. Hi-5's new Australian cast was announced in Australian talk show Morning with Kerrie-Anne, in February 2009. Hi-5 is now shown in 83 countries. Hi-5 is known as a children's pop music group as well as...
.
Origins of the group
In 1998, television producer Helena Harris, creator of Bananas in PyjamasBananas in Pyjamas
Bananas in Pyjamas is an Australian children's television show that premiered in July 1992 on ABC Television. It has since become syndicated in many different countries, and dubbed into other languages. In the United States, the "Pyjamas" in the title was modified to reflect the American spelling...
, created "Hi-5" when her two children outgrew Bananas. She and co-producer Posie Graeme-Evans
Posie Graeme-Evans
Posie Graeme-Evans spent her childhood travelling between Europe, Asia and Australia. Having worked extensively in the Australian film and television industries as an editor, director, writer and producer/executive producer, Posie is now a full-time novelist .-Early life:Graeme-Evans is the...
decided the new show would be aimed at 2–8 year-olds, would include educational trends as fun and games, and would feature music and movement that would attract children's attention.
The audition
Audition
An audition is a sample performance by an actor, singer, musician, dancer or other performing artist.Audition may also refer to:* The sense of hearing* Adobe Audition, audio editing software...
s for the hosts and the eventual members that would make up the group were held in June 1998, with the first program broadcast in January 1999. Since then, the group has won five ARIA awards for "Best Children's Album" (in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004), won three consecutive Australian Logie Award
Logie Award
The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
s (the Australian awards for television performance and production recognition) for "Most Outstanding Children's Preschool Program" in 2000, 2001 (tied with Round the Twist
Round the Twist
Round the Twist is a Logie Award-winning Australian children's television series about three children and their widowed father who live in a lighthouse and become involved in many magical adventures....
) and 2004.
Singers and band members
- Kathleen de Leon JonesKathleen de Leon JonesKathleen de Leon Jones is an Australian actress, dancer, and singer of Filipino descent. She was an original cast member of the ARIA Award winning Australian children's television program, Hi-5.-Personal life:Born in Manila in 1977, Kathleen moved to Australia with her family in 1978...
1998–2006 - Kellie CrawfordKellie HoggartKellie Lynn Crawford, née Hoggart is an Australian singer, actress and children's performer. Crawford is most known for her involvement in Children's program Hi-5 and as a former member of pop group Teen Queens. She left Hi-5 in December 2008 after ten years with the group.- Career :Crawford was...
1998–2008 - Nathan Foley 1998–2008
- Charli DelaneyCharli DelaneySharlene Marie Zeta Robinson, known professionally as Charli Robinson and previously as Charli Delaney is an Australian singer, actress, radio presenter and children's performer....
1998 – early 2008 - Tim Harding 1998–2007
- Sun ParkSun ParkSun Park is a Korean born Australian entertainer, and a member of the children's musical group Hi-5. In 2006, when she was 25, she was originally a temporary replacement for Kathleen de Leon, who went on maternity leave. However in July 2007, Kathleen announced that she would not be returning, in...
late 2006 – late 2008 - Stevie NicholsonStevie NicholsonStevie Nicholson is an Australian singer and actor. He attended St Kevin's College in Melbourne as a student and is currently a member of the Australian children's entertainment group Hi-5...
2007–present - Casey Burgess mid 2008 – present
- Tim MaddrenTim Maddren (entertainer)Tim Maddren is a New Zealand entertainer, singer and actor. Currently Maddren is one of the members of the Australian children's television program Hi-5....
2009 – present - Lauren Brant 2009–present
- Fely Irvine 2009–present
Current members
- Tim MaddrenTim Maddren (entertainer)Tim Maddren is a New Zealand entertainer, singer and actor. Currently Maddren is one of the members of the Australian children's television program Hi-5....
replaced Nathan Foley - Casey Burgess replaced Charli DelaneyCharli DelaneySharlene Marie Zeta Robinson, known professionally as Charli Robinson and previously as Charli Delaney is an Australian singer, actress, radio presenter and children's performer....
- Fely Irvine replaced Sun Park
- Lauren Brant replaced Kellie Crawford
Stevie Nicholson replaced Tim Harding
Former member(s)
- Sun ParkSun ParkSun Park is a Korean born Australian entertainer, and a member of the children's musical group Hi-5. In 2006, when she was 25, she was originally a temporary replacement for Kathleen de Leon, who went on maternity leave. However in July 2007, Kathleen announced that she would not be returning, in...
replaced Kathleen de Leon JonesKathleen de Leon JonesKathleen de Leon Jones is an Australian actress, dancer, and singer of Filipino descent. She was an original cast member of the ARIA Award winning Australian children's television program, Hi-5.-Personal life:Born in Manila in 1977, Kathleen moved to Australia with her family in 1978...
from 2006 – 2008 (completed 2 series/90 episodes)
Original cast
- Kellie CrawfordKellie HoggartKellie Lynn Crawford, née Hoggart is an Australian singer, actress and children's performer. Crawford is most known for her involvement in Children's program Hi-5 and as a former member of pop group Teen Queens. She left Hi-5 in December 2008 after ten years with the group.- Career :Crawford was...
1998 – end 2008 (Completed 10 series/420 episodes) - Nathan Foley 1998 – end 2008 (Completed 10 series/420 episodes)
- Charli DelaneyCharli DelaneySharlene Marie Zeta Robinson, known professionally as Charli Robinson and previously as Charli Delaney is an Australian singer, actress, radio presenter and children's performer....
1998 – early 2008 (Completed 10 series/420 episodes) - Tim Harding 1998 – 2007 (Completed 9 series/374 episodes)
- Kathleen de Leon JonesKathleen de Leon JonesKathleen de Leon Jones is an Australian actress, dancer, and singer of Filipino descent. She was an original cast member of the ARIA Award winning Australian children's television program, Hi-5.-Personal life:Born in Manila in 1977, Kathleen moved to Australia with her family in 1978...
1998 – 2006 (Completed 8 series/330 episodes)
Puppets
- Jup-Jup
– Voiced by Tim Harding 1998–2007 (Series 1–9)
– Voiced by Noni McCallum 2007– Current(Series 10)(Hi-5 Circus)
-Voiced by Natalie Duarte 2008 – 2010 (series 11)(Playtime Tour)
- Chatterbox (a.k.a. Chats)
– Voiced by Charli Delaney
Charli Delaney
Sharlene Marie Zeta Robinson, known professionally as Charli Robinson and previously as Charli Delaney is an Australian singer, actress, radio presenter and children's performer....
1998–2002 (series 1–4)
– Voiced by Sophie Katinis
Sophie Katinis
Sophie Katinis is an Australian actress who has appeared in many television and theatre roles.-Television:Sophie played the role of university student Mel Bennett on the drama headLand in 2006...
2003 (Series 5) (Hi-5 Live Come on and Party Concert)
– Voiced by Erin Marshall 2005–2006 (Series 7–8) (Live Space Magic Concert)
– Voiced by Noni McCallum 2006–2008 (Series 9–10) (Live Action Heroes, Live Circus Stageshow)
-Voiced by Natalie Duarte 2008 – current (series 11)(Playtime Tour)
Former members' reasons for leaving
In order, first to last:- Kathleen de Leon JonesKathleen de Leon JonesKathleen de Leon Jones is an Australian actress, dancer, and singer of Filipino descent. She was an original cast member of the ARIA Award winning Australian children's television program, Hi-5.-Personal life:Born in Manila in 1977, Kathleen moved to Australia with her family in 1978...
: left following the birth of her first child with former Savage GardenSavage GardenSavage Garden were an Australian pop rock performance and songwriting duo. Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones formed the group in Brisbane, Queensland in 1994...
member Daniel JonesDaniel Jones (musician)Daniel Jones is a musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his part in the hugely popular Australian pop duo Savage Garden, whose international hit singles included the songs "I Want You", "To the Moon and Back", "Truly Madly Deeply", "I Knew I Loved You", and "Crash and Burn"...
in 2007 - Tim Harding: left following a serious motorcycle accident in 2007 where he fractured both legs and suffered a serious spinal injury that required intensive care and reconstruction
- Charli DelaneyCharli DelaneySharlene Marie Zeta Robinson, known professionally as Charli Robinson and previously as Charli Delaney is an Australian singer, actress, radio presenter and children's performer....
: in February 2008 she left to pursue other interests in presenting work, and acting in film and television, in order to "challenge herself". - Kellie Crawford : left to pursue other acting opportunities and to settle down for family, announced in October 2008 that her last show would be at Carols by CandlelightCarols by CandlelightCarols by Candlelight is an Australian Christmas tradition that originated in southeastern Australia in the 19th century and was popularised in Melbourne in the 1930s. The tradition has since spread around the world. It involves people gathering, usually outdoors in a park, to sing carols by...
on 24 December 2008. - Nathan Foley : left to concentrate on solo career. Announced in November 2008 that his last show would be at Carols by Candlelight on 24 December 2008.
- Sun ParkSun ParkSun Park is a Korean born Australian entertainer, and a member of the children's musical group Hi-5. In 2006, when she was 25, she was originally a temporary replacement for Kathleen de Leon, who went on maternity leave. However in July 2007, Kathleen announced that she would not be returning, in...
: Quit as she wishes to settle down and get married and maybe have kids. She also noted that she felt she was only temporary replacement for Kathleen de Leon Jones. She announced in December 2008 that her last show would be at Carols by Candlelight on 24 December 2008, with Kellie and Nathan.
Live tours
The band tours annually and visits several countries in which they are popular. These include Australia, New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Tour themes
- 2000 It's A Party (series 1 and 2)
- 2001 Hi-5 Alive (series 3)
- 2002 Celebrate (series 4)
- 2002–2003 Hi-5 Alive (covering songs and acts from series 4)
- 2003–2004 Come On And Party (series 5)
- 2005–2006 Space Magic (series 6)
- 2006–2007 Live Action Hero (series 7)
- 2007–2008 Circus Stage Show Live (series 8 and 9)
- 2008 Party Street Tour (Live appearances in regional Australia only, series 8 and 9 reprised)
- 2008 Playtime Tour (Series 10) Australia Only . Official DVD Tour on sales.
- 2009 Series 11 in the Philippines
- 2009–2010 Hi-5 Surprise! Live Tour (series 11)
Christmas eve concert
There have been seven special Christmas Eve concerts, in which the cast sang at Carols by Candlelight. These concerts have been held annually since 2000.Shows
On 30 October 2009, there was a Hi5 performance at UK shopping centre Westfield LondonWestfield London
Westfield London is a shopping centre in White City in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The centre was developed by the Westfield Group at a cost of £1.6bn,...
for its first birthday party.
Discography
Hi-5 has produced a number of CDsCompact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
, at least five of which have gone platinum in Australia. In addition, there is a range of DVD's and video
Video
Video is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion.- History :...
s (Region 4, PAL
PAL
PAL, short for Phase Alternating Line, is an analogue television colour encoding system used in broadcast television systems in many countries. Other common analogue television systems are NTSC and SECAM. This page primarily discusses the PAL colour encoding system...
colour), as well as games and puzzles.
- Jump And Jive With Hi-5 (1999) – #33 Australia
- It's A Party (2000) – #4 Australia
- Boom Boom Beat (2001) – #3 Australia
- It's A Hi-5 Christmas (2001)
- Celebrate (2002) – #27 Australia
- Hi-5 Holiday (2003)
- Hi-5 Hits (and Gift Pack) (2003) – #26 Australia
- Hi-5 Christmas Gift Pack (2003)
- Hi-5 Holiday Limited Edition (Limited edition – 2004)
- Jingle Jangle Jingle With Hi-5 (2004)
- Making Music (2005)
- Hi-5 Christmas Gift Pack (Limited Edition 2005)
- Wish Upon A Star (2006) – #57 Australia
- WOW! (2007) – #30 – Australia
- Planet Earth (2008) – #25 – Australia
- All The Best (2008)
- Spin Me Round (2009)
- Turn the music up! (2010)