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Top Class

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on which we work and present the VCE Season of Excellence; the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation. We acknowledge all traditional and ongoing custodians of the lands across Victoria, where students have investigated new creative possibilities and developed their bold artistic works.

Top Class 2024 Dates

Top Class Dance will take place on Wednesday 6 March at Melbourne Recital Centre.

Top Class Drama and Theatre Studies will take place on Friday 19 and Monday 22 April 2024 at Melbourne Recital Centre.

Top Class Music will take place on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 March at Melbourne Recital Centre.

Top Class Sound will take place on Wednesday 27 March 2024 at Darebin Arts Centre.

Top Class Regional will take place on Tuesday 16 April 2024 at Gippsland Performing Arts Centre.

Tickets

Tickets to Top Class Dance, Drama and Theatre Studies, and Music are on sale from 11am Wednesday 6 December 2023 via Melbourne Recital Centre.

Tickets to Top Class Sound are on sale from 10am Wednesday 6 December 2023 via Darebin Arts Centre.

Tickets to Top Class Regional are on sale from 9am Thursday 22 February 2024 via Gippsland Performing Arts Centre.

Additional ticketing information for all concerts is available on the VCE Season of Excellence Tickets webpage.

 

Top Class Dance 2024 Performer List

Top Class Drama 2024 Performer List

Top Class Theatre Studies 2024 Performer List

Top Class Music 2024 Performer List

Top Class Sound 2024 Performer List

About Top Class

Top Class presents 11 concerts by outstanding performing arts students who have completed VCE Music Composition, Music Contemporary Performance, Music Inquiry, Music Repertoire Performance, VCE VET Music (Performance), VCE VET Music (Sound Production), VCE Dance, VCE VET Dance, VCE Drama and Theatre Studies. These include:

  • Top Class Dance
  • Top Class Drama
  • Top Class Theatre Studies
  • Top Class Music
  • Top Class Sound

Top Class Regional – New in 2024!

In April, the VCE Season of Excellence Top Class events will travel to the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (GPAC), a purpose-built, state-of-the-art venue in Traralgon. The concerts will feature a selection of students from the metro Top Class concerts presenting works from VCE Music Composition, Music Contemporary Performance, Music Repertoire Performance, , VCE VET Music (Performance), VCE Dance, VCE VET Dance, VCE Drama and VCE Theatre Studies. Two concerts will be presented:

  • Top Class Regional: Dance, Drama and Theatre Studies
  • Top Class Regional: Music

Alongside the concerts, GPAC will present two educational forums:

  • VCE 'Inspo' Forum: Drama, Theatre Studies & Dance
  • VCE 'Inspo' Forum: Music & Sound

These specially developed forums feature guest artists and a Q & A panel including VCE Top Class alumni and a curriculum expert. The guest artists will provide specific examples from their own work and crucial strategies to generate, explore and consolidate elite creative ideas from their inception.

More information about tickets for the concerts and educational forums is available on the VCE Season of Excellence Tickets webpage.

Selection Process

Top Class performers are selected from students that have achieved an A or an A+ on their VCE performance examination.

During the selection process, students are identified only by their VCAA student number to remove bias in the selection process. Every effort is made to equally represent school sectors during the selection process and within the Top Class concerts.

Top Class Dance, Drama and Theatre Studies

VCE Drama, Theatre Studies, Dance and VCE VET Dance students are invited to audition for Top Class based on their performance examination score. Invitations to audition will be sent in mid-December 2023. Auditions will be held week commencing 22 January 2024.

Top Class Music

VCE Music Repertoire Performance, Music Contemporary Performance, Music Inquiry, Music Composition, VCE VET Music (Performance), and VCE VET Music (Sound Production) students are selected from recordings of their end of year performance examination. Students will be notified of their selection in January 2024.

Top Class Sound features performances of original music works by students enrolled in Units 3 and 4 VCE and VCE VET music studies. Original compositions created or performed for a graded assessment task in 2023 will be considered for Top Class Sound 2024.

Students of VCE Music Contemporary Performance, VCE Music Repertoire Performance, VET Music (Performance), and VCE VET Music (Sound Production) must apply to be selected Top Class Sound.

VCE Music Composition and Music Inquiry works are selected from A and A+ Externally assessed Tasks. The VCAA will contact students to confirm that a high-quality live performance of the work can be organised in mid-December 2023.

Top Class Sound

Top Class Sound features performances of original music works by students enrolled in Units 3 and 4 VCE and VCE VET music studies. Original compositions created or performed for a graded assessment task in 2023 will be considered for Top Class Sound 2024.

Students of VCE Music Contemporary Performance, VCE Music Repertoire Performance, VET Music (Performance), and VCE VET Music (Sound Production) must apply to be selected Top Class Sound.

VCE Music Composition and Music Inquiry works are selected from A and A+ Externally assessed Tasks. The VCAA will contact students to confirm that a high-quality live performance of the work can be organised in mid-December 2023.


Venue Information

Melbourne Recital Centre – Top Class Dance, Music, Drama and Theatre Studies

31 Sturt St (cnr Southbank Blvd), Southbank VIC 3006

Public Transport Options

Flinders St Railway Station

Flinders St Railway Station is approximately a 10-minute walk from the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Swanston St/St Kilda Rd trams

The nearest tram stop is Stop 17 (Arts Precinct – Sturt St) on the number 1 tram, located on the corner of Sturt St and Southbank Blvd, directly in front of the Centre's side entrance.

Alternatively, you can take any tram travelling south down St Kilda Road, jump off at Stop 16 (Arts Precinct) in front of the National Gallery of Victoria, and walk 5 minutes to the Centre.

Bus

Melbourne Bus Link operates three routes along Southbank Boulevard: Route 216, 219 and 220.

The Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle runs in a loop through Melbourne's CBD every 15 minutes and stops at the corner of Southbank Blvd and Kavanagh Street (Stop 10). From here it is a 3-minute walk to the Centre. An all-day ticket for the Shuttle costs $5 and children under 10 years can travel free.

Parking options

There is limited on-street parking available on Grant Street, Sturt Street and Dodds Street. Parking is paid and available for 2-4 hours. Multiple accessible parking spaces are located in front of The Ian Potter Southbank Centre, approximately 60 metres from the Recital Centre's Sturt St entrance.

The closest secure carparks are:

Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park (enter via Kavanagh Street)

The Australian Ballet Centre Car Park (2 Kavanagh Street)

 

Darebin Arts Centre – Top Class Sound

401 Bell St, Preston VIC 3072

Public transport options

Bell Railway Station

Bell Railway Station is a 2-minute walk from Darebin Arts Centre. Bell Railway Station services the Mernda line.

Trams

The nearest tram stops are:

  • Stop 34 (Miller St) on the number 11 tram, followed by a 12-minute walk to the Centre
  • Bell St/Plenty Rd on the 86 tram, followed by a 9-minute walk to the Centre
  • Stop 135 (Bell St/Nicholson St) on the number 1 tram, followed by a 5-minute bus ride or 25-minute walk.

Bus

  • The 513 and 514 buses stop at Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre/Bell and St Penola St/Bell St. From here it is a 2-minute walk to the Centre.
  • The 513 bus also stops at Glenroy, Coburg, Rosanna, and Eltham Railway Stations. The 514 bus also stops at Glenroy, Coburg, Rosanna, Watsonia, and Eltham Railway Stations.

Parking options

There is a 140-space car park in front of Darebin Arts Centre. This is a free, public, open-air car park.

 

Gippsland Performing Arts Centre– Top Class Regional Dance, Drama and Theatre Studies, and Music

32 Kay St, Traralgon VIC 3844

Public transport options

Traralgon Railway Station

Traralgon Railway Station is approximately a 10-minute walk from the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre.

Train services: Gippsland V/Line

Bus services: Bairnsdale – Melbourne Line

Bus

Bus routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 40, 41, 42 and 43 to St Michaels PS/Church St Stop. Walk 3-minutes to Gippsland Performing Arts Centre.

Parking options

Gippsland Performing Arts Centre is easily accessible from the Princes Highway (M1). Follow the signs towards Arts Centre from the highway.

There are 72 carparks, including two DDA spaces, on site at GPAC. Enter the carpark via Grey Street heading west (away from the Traralgon Central shopping centre from Breed Street). There are also 5 motorcycle parking spaces in the underground car park.

Additional parking is available at Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre on Cnr Breed Street & Kay Street.

For long bay parking, this is available in Kay Street adjacent to Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre.


Accessibility

Melbourne Recital Centre – Top Class Dance, Music, Drama and Theatre Studies

Melbourne Recital Centre are committed to Universal Access. For further information about access at the Recital Centre go to the Access page.

Accessible Tickets

Accessible tickets are available online, in person, and over the phone. The Box Office can be contacted on 9699 3333 and at boxoffice@melbournerecital.com.au.

Large Print Venue Map

Download a copy of Melbourne Recital Centre's Large Print Venue Maps. This map outlines lifts, escalators and accessible toilets.

Wheelchair Access

Melbourne Recital Centre is wheelchair accessible. There are no steps required to enter the Centre on the ground level, and there is a lift from the ground floor to the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall on levels 1 and 2. Wheelchair accessible seating is available in the Stalls (Level 1) and the Wings (Level 2). There are accessible restrooms on all levels. Wheelchair accessible seats can be booked online, over the phone, or in person. Melbourne Recital Centre accepts Companion Cards.

Service animals

Melbourne Recital Centre welcomes all visitors with assistance animals (such as guide dogs) certified by a registered authority. Please inform the Ticketing Services team, when making your booking over the phone or in person or email boxoffice@melbournerecital.com.au in advance of your visit the Centre.

Hearing devices

Melbourne Recital Centre theatres are fitted with assistance hearing devices. When booking tickets through the Melbourne Recital Centre box office you can request seats for good visibility at the concert hall if you need to lip read. All performances and talks are amplified.

Darebin Arts Centre – Top Class Sound

For further information about access at the Darebin Arts Centre go to the Accessibility page.

Accessible Tickets

Accessible tickets are available by calling the Box Office on 8470 8282 or emailing ticketing@darebin.vic.gov.au.

Wheelchair Access

Darebin Arts Centre is wheelchair accessible. There is a ramped entry from both the front and rear of the building, and four accessible car parking spaces in the car park. Wheelchair accessible seating is available in the theatre in rows A and B. Accessible toilets are available on the Ground Floor. Darebin Arts Centre accepts Companion Cards.

Hearing devices

Darebin Arts Centre has a Phonic Ear Hearing Augmentation System that provides assistance to both people with hearing aids, and people with hearing loss who do not wear hearing aids. The system complies with the Australian Standard 1428.

Gippsland Performing Arts Centre – Top Class Regional Dance, Drama and Theatre Studies, and Music

For further information about access at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre go to GPAC's Visit Us page and click on 'Accessibility.'

Accessible Tickets

Guests can book wheelchair accessible and companion seats online. For further assistance to book accessible seats, please contact the Box Office on 03 5176 3333.

Large Print Venue Map

Access keys and a social story are available under the 'Accessibility' menu on GPAC's Visit Us page.

Wheelchair Access

All areas of the main venue are accessible by wheelchair including backstage areas.

Wheelchair access to the auditorium is via a platform on Level G and a passenger lift to Level 1.

Guests requiring assistance can request this from any member of the front of house team.

There are 17 wheelchair accessible seats available in the auditorium; 13 are on Level G and 4 are on Level 1. When configured so that all wheelchair accessible seats have a companion seat there are 10 on Level G and 2 on Level 1. If you require two or more accessible seats to be booked together, please contact the Box Office on 03 5176 3333.

Hearing devices

The main theatre auditorium is equipped with an infrared system and the foyer is equipped with a hearing loop for your convenience. If you require any additional assistance, please let the venue's front of house team know.

Quiet Rooms

We also offer access to a soundproofed Quiet Room on Level G for guests of all ages who like to be vocal while watching a performance. Guests can still see and hear the show from this space and it is also wheelchair accessible.

An additional Quiet Room is located on Level G from the foyer.

If you require access to either space, please let our front of house team know.


Educational Resources

Select Top Class concert recordings from 2021-2023 are now available as free resources for schools. For access to these videos, please email seasonofexcellence@education.vic.gov.au and specify which resources you would like from the below:

Top Class Dance

  • Top Class Dance 2021 - Program 1 & 2 (VCE Dance and VCE VET Dance)
  • Top Class Dance 2022 - Program 1 & 2 (VCE Dance and VCE VET Dance)

Top Class Drama and Theatre Studies

  • Top Class Drama 2021 (Program 1 & 2) and 2023 (Program 1, 2 & 3) (VCE Drama)
  • Top Class Theatre Studies 2021 (Program 1 & 2) and 2023 (Program 1, 2 & 3) (VCE Theatre Studies)

Top Class Music and Top Class Sound

  • Top Class Music 2021 - Program 1 (VCE Music Performance, VCE Music Investigation, VCE VET Music Industry (Performance) – solo and group acoustic)
  • Top Class Music 2021 - Program 2 (VCE Music Performance, VCE Music Investigation, VCE VET Music Industry (Performance) – solo and group acoustic and plugged)
  • Top Class Music 2021 - Program 3 (VCE Music Performance, VCE Music Investigation, VCE VET Music Industry (Performance) – solo and group plugged)
  • Top Class Sound 2021 - Program 1 (VCE Music Style and Composition, VCE Music Investigation)
  • Top Class Music 2022 - Program 1 (VCE Music Performance and VCE Music Investigation - solo acoustic)
  • Top Class Music 2022 - Program 2 (VCE Music Performance, VCE Music Investigation and VCE VET Music Industry (Performance) - solo and group acoustic)
  • Top Class Sound and Music 2022 - Program 3 (VCE Music Style and Composition, VCE Music Investigation and VCE VET Music Industry (Performance) original compositions, followed by VCE Music Performance, VCE Music Investigation and VCE VET Music Industry (Performance) solo and group performances)

Further educational resources can be viewed on the Top Acts page.