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.
About Top Class
Top Class presents 10+ concerts by outstanding performing arts students who have completed VCE Dance, Drama, Theatre Studies, Music Composition, Music Contemporary Performance, Music Inquiry and Music Repertoire Performance, and VCE VET Dance, Music (Performance) and Music (Sound Production). These concerts include:
- Top Class Dance
- Top Class Drama
- Top Class Theatre Studies
- Top Class Music and Sound
2025 Top Class Sound Applications
Applications for Top Class Sound 2025 are now closed. For more information on the selection process, please see the Selection Process tab at the bottom of this page.
Top Class Regional - A new offering
Top Class concerts will return to regional Victoria in 2025 following the success of the Top Class Regional pilot program presented in partnership with the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) in Traralgon in April 2024. Through the Top Class Regional concerts, the VCAA aims to increase community engagement and arts education opportunities within regional and rural Victorian schools.
In 2025, the VCAA will bring Top Class concerts to Traralgon and Bendigo. The concerts will be emceed by a VCE curriculum expert and feature a program of performers from across the Season’s metropolitan Top Class Dance, Drama, Theatre Studies, Music and Sound concerts. Following each concert is a free Q&A session with concert performers and a curriculum expert. This is an opportunity for students and teachers to ask all about performers’ creative processes and their experience preparing for and undertaking their 2024 VCE examinations.
2025 Top Class Concerts
The VCE Season of Excellence 2025 includes 10 Top Class concerts in metropolitan Melbourne and 2 Top Class Regional concerts. Please see the tabs below for venue, ticketing, and program information.
Tickets for all concerts are on sale.
Tuesday 25 February, 10:00 am and 2:00 pm
Melbourne Recital Centre
TICKETS
Program: VCE VET Dance styles, VCE Dance Skills-based and Cohesive Composition Solos, written VCE VET Industry Statement and VCE Cohesive Composition Statement of Intention examples.
Performer lists available from early February 2025.
Tuesday 11 March, 10:00 am
Wednesday 12 March, 2:00 pm
Melbourne Recital Centre
TICKETS
Program: VCE Drama original monologues
Performer lists available from early February 2025.
Tuesday 11 March, 2:00 pm
Wednesday 12 March, 10:00 am
Melbourne Recital Centre
TICKETS
Program: VCE Theatre Studies Acting/Direction and Design monologue interpretations, live Interpretation Statement examples
Performer lists available from early February 2025.
MUSIC: Wednesday 19 March, 10:00 am and 2:30 pm
MUSIC AND SOUND: Thursday 20 March, 10:00 am and 2:30 pm
Melbourne Recital Centre
TICKETS
Program:
Please note: All Music and Sound concerts will feature a mixture of studies to be confirmed when performers are finalised in early February 2025. The studies listed below are an indication only to help teachers select the concert most relevant to their class.
- Wednesday 19 March, 10:00 am: solo and group classical, acoustic
- Study focus: VCE Music Repertoire Performance, VCE Music Inquiry
- Wednesday 19 March, 2:30 pm: solo and group classical and contemporary, acoustic
- Study focus: VCE Music Repertoire Performance, VCE Music Inquiry, VCE VET Music (Performance)
- Thursday 20 March, 10:00 am: solo and group contemporary, amplified
- Study focus: VCE Music Contemporary Performance, VCE Music Composition, VCE Music Inquiry, VCE VET Music (Performance)
- Thursday 20 March, 2:00 pm: solo and group contemporary, amplified
- Study focus: VCE Music Contemporary Performance, VCE Music Composition, VCE Music Inquiry, VCE VET Music (Performance), VCE VET Music (Sound Production)
Performer lists available from early February 2025.
Wednesday 23 April
Concert: 10:30 am
Q&A Panel: 1:30 pm
Gippsland Performing Arts Centre
TICKETS
Program: Concert: VCE and VCE VET Dance, VCE Drama, VCE Theatre Studies, VCE and VCE VET Music; Q&A Panel: performers from a variety of performing arts areas and a curriculum expert
Performer lists available from mid-February 2025.
Wednesday 7 May
Concert: 10:30 am
Q&A Panel: 1:30 pm
The Capital Theatre
TICKETS
Program: Concert: VCE and VCE VET Dance, VCE Drama, VCE Theatre Studies, VCE and VCE VET Music; Q&A Panel: performers from a variety of performing arts areas and a curriculum expert
Performer lists available from mid-February 2025.
2025 Top Class Venues
Please see the tabs below for information on each Top Class venue including ticketing, transportation options, and access.
Information is correct at time of publishing and is subject to change. Please visit the venue's website for the most up-to-date information.
Box Office
The Melbourne Recital Centre Box Office is open Monday-Friday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Website: melbournerecital.com.au
Phone: 03 9699 3333
Email: boxoffice@melbournerecital.com.au
In person: 31 Sturt St, Southbank 3006
School group bookings
Schools can access an exclusive presale from 11:00 am Monday 2 December to 5:00 pm Monday 9 December. During this presale, schools must complete an online booking request form on the Centre's website. Payment will not be taken at this time.
School groups will be seated in order of receipt of their forms and will receive a booking confirmation and invoice after the presale period has ended. All school groups will receive confirmation of their order prior to the general on sale on Thursday 12 December.
From 11:00 am Thursday 12 December, tickets will be available online at a maximum of 4 per customer. From this date, all group bookings requiring an invoice can be made over the phone, in person, or via email. School groups are strongly encouraged to book over the phone or via email.
A limited number of additional tickets will be released for sale in early February 2025 once all concert performers are announced.
Melbourne Recital Centre is located at 31 Sturt St, Southbank VIC 3006, on the corner of Southbank Blvd and Sturt St.
For the most up-to-date transportation and parking information, visit the Centre's Transport & Parking webpage.
Public transportation
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 St Kilda Road tram to Stop 16 (Arts Precinct) in front of the National Gallery of Victoria and walk 5 minutes to the Centre.
Bus
The route 605 bus operates along Southbank Blvd. Disembark at Victorian College of the Arts/Southbank Blvd. Services towards City (Queen St) stop directly outside of Melbourne Recital Centre.
Parking options
There is limited paid on-street parking available on Grant Street, Sturt Street and Dodds Street. 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)
Melbourne Recital Centre are committed to Universal Access. For further information about access at the Centre go to the Access page.
Accessible tickets
Accessible tickets are available online, in person, and over the phone. Companion Cards are accepted. To discuss your specific access requirements, contact the Box Office on 03 9699 3333 or 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 Visitor Experience team when making your booking or email boxoffice@melbournerecital.com.au in advance of your visit to the Centre.
Hearing devices
For amplified performances, Melbourne Recital Centre theatres use an Ampetronic Induction Loop, designed to transmit audio directly into a hearing aid. When booking tickets through the 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.
Box Office
The GPAC Box Office is open every day 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Website: latrobe.vic.gov.au/gpac/home
Phone: 03 5176 3333
In person: 32 Kay St, Traralgon
Gippsland Performing Arts Centre is located at 72 Kay St, Traralgon VIC 3844.
For the most up-to-date transportation and parking information, visit GPAC's Visit Us page and click on 'Transport + Parking'.
Public transportation
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.
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.
Box Office
The Capital's ticketing is serviced by gotix, managed by Bendigo Venues & Events.
The gotix Box Office is open Monday-Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Website: boxoffice.gotix.com.au
Phone: 03 5434 6100
Email: gotix@bendigo.vic.gov.au
In person: 50 View St, Bendigo
The Capital is located at 50 View St, Bendigo VIC 3550.
For the most up-to-date transportation and parking information, visit The Capital's Getting here webpage.
Public transportation
Bendigo Train Station
The arts precinct is approximately a 15-minute walk from Bendigo train station.
Bus
From Bendigo train station you can catch a number 3 or number 5 bus to the View Street arts precinct.
Parking options
There are 5000+ car parking spaces around Bendigo CBD. On-street parking is available around The Capital, on View Street and Rowan Street. Please note time restrictions and meters are in place between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm. Check the signs.
Off-street parking is available in the QEO car park and is located behind The Capital.
On-street parking is available around the Bendigo Town Hall. Meters and time restrictions apply.
To learn more about access at The Capital, visit the venue's Universal Access webpage.
Accessible tickets
Accessible tickets are available by contacting the Box Office.
Wheelchair access
The Capital has ramp access on the front left side of the building. There is also wheelchair access seating available in the auditorium.
Hearing devices
A section of the auditorium is equipped with a hearing loop sound system for use by people with hearing aids.
Service animals
Assistance animals are welcome at The Capital.
Access guides
A detailed venue Access Key is available on the venue website.
A Social Story is available on the venue website. This social story is suited for a person who may live with autism spectrum disorder, a Language Disorder, Social Communication Difficulties and/or a Cognitive Delay/Disability.
Additional Information
Top Class performers are selected from students that have achieved an A or an A+ on their VCE performance examination or Externally-assessed Task.
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 2024. Auditions will be held in January 2025.
Top Class Music
VCE Music Repertoire Performance, Music Contemporary Performance, and Music Inquiry, and VCE VET Music (Performance), and Music (Sound Production) students are selected from recordings of their end of year performance examination. Students will be notified of their selection in January 2025.
Top Class Sound
VCE Music Composition and VCE Music Inquiry students are selected from original compositions that received an A or A+ on the Externally-assessed Task. VCE Music Contemporary Performance, VCE Music Repertoire Performance, and VCE VET Music (Performance) and Music (Sound Production) students who created or performed an original composition for a graded assessment task in 2024 may submit an application for selection.
A selection panel will review and shortlist all eligible exam recordings and applications. The VCAA will contact shortlisted students to confirm a high-quality recording or live performance of an appropriate standard can be organised for Top Class Music and Sound in March 2025. All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by late-December 2024.
Top Class Sound Selection Criteria
Applicants must be enrolled in Units 3 and 4 of any of the following studies:
- VCE Music Composition
- VCE Music Inquiry
- VCE Music Contemporary Performance
- VCE Music Repertoire Performance
- VCE VET Music (Performance)
- VCE VET Music (Sound Production)
Selected works must:
- be an original composition created or performed for a graded assessment task in 2024
- be able to be presented in concert at an appropriate standard, either as a live performance or high-quality recording
- include copyright clearance if they include third-party content
Optional:
- prerecorded material and/or sound effects may be used with live performance
Select Top Class concert recordings from 2021-2023 are available as free resources for schools. Please note, recordings are not available for 2024 Top Class concerts. To access available 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.