2011 VCA and MCM Season highlights passion and talent

Passion and talent in abundance will be the hallmark of the 2011 Season of the Victorian College of the Arts and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (VCA and MCM) as this year’s graduating students strut their stuff.

Passion and talent in abundance will be the hallmark of the 2011 Season of the Victorian College of the Arts and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (VCA and MCM) as this year’s graduating students strut their stuff.

One of the stand-out events will be a performance by graduating dance and production students of Cheryl Churchill’s "Mouthful of Birds", directed by Robert Walton, who joined the VCA this year from Glasgow where he was Associate Head of Performance at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Over a packed six week period, the 2011 Season will showcase the budding stars of tomorrow across disciplines, including dance, music, theatre, visual art, film and television.

"Throughout the Season the public will see young artists right on the verge of their professional careers as they emerge into our culture to enrich our lives," said Director of the VCA Professor Su Baker.

"The Season is a great opportunity to show the breadth of talent within the faculty. The choice of plays and performances will help students reach new heights both creatively and professionally."

Professor Gary McPherson, Director of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, said "the 2011 Season provides ensembles with opportunities that showcase the talents of some of Australia’s finest young musicians".

A number of guest artists will work with students during the Season with dance works choreographed by Ros Crisp, Stephanie Lake, Anna Smith and Brook Stamp.

One of Australia’s premier orchestral trainers and principal conductor of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra, Fabian Russell, will work with the University of Melbourne Orchestra and contemporary music guest Karaikudi R Mani, a cultural ambassador and mridangam player from India, will run workshops and collaborate with students.

The 2011 Season begins 27 October, and will be held at a variety of venues across the university’s Southbank and Parkville campuses and a range of venues in the city.

The 2011 Season brochure is scheduled for release on October 14. Highlights include:

Artist in Residence performance: Karaikudi R Mani?
As one of India’s cultural ambassadors, percussionist Karaikudi R Mani will be workshopping and performing with members of his ensemble and students from the Contemporary Music Performance stream.

When: 28 Oct, 6.30pm - 7.30pm’Where: Room 109, Contemporary Music Building, 234 St Kilda Rd, Southbank?Admission: Free?Bookings: 03 9035 9199

Contemporary Plays Season
Mouthful of Birds by Caryl Churchill and David Lan, directed by Robert Walton
St Kilda Tales by Raimondo Cortese, directed by Mary Sitarenos
When: 27 October - 4 November’Where: Studio 45 and Grant Street Theatre, School of Performing Arts, 28 Dodds Street, Southbank.’Admission: $22/$16?Bookings: www.vca.unimelb.edu.au/ev... , please note this performance season contains adult themes.

The University of Melbourne Orchestra
Conductor: Fabian Russell’ALFRED DESENCLOS -- Incantation, Thrène et Danse ‘STRAVINSKY -- The Rite of Spring’RAVEL - Alborado del gracioso?’When: Sunday 30 October, 5.00pm’Where: Melbourne Town Hall, cnr Collins and Swanston Sts, Melbourne?Admission: Free?Enquiries: mcm-concerts@unimelb.edu.au / 03 8344 7830

Graduate End of Year Dance Season 2011
Presented by Third Year Dance students, this season includes new and extant works from professional guest choreographers Ros Crisp, Stephanie Lake, Anna Smith and Brook Stamp.
When: 12 - 17 November’Where: Space 28, Performing Arts Building, 28 Dodds Street, Southbank?Admission: $22/$16?Bookings: www.vca.unimelb.edu.au/ev...

Wilin Showcase
A celebration of Aboriginal arts, featuring performances from current students and alumni. ?
When: Tuesday 22 November, 7.30pm’Where: Federation Hall, Grant St, Southbank?Admission: Free?Bookings and enquiries: leulie@unimelb.edu.au

Theatre for Change
Presented by the Centre for Cultural Partnerships, Theatre for Change is a public showcase of a community- based developmental program of theatre workshops and public presentations engaging two Horn of Africa refugee communities in outer metropolitan regions of Victoria.
When: Friday 25 November, 6.00pm - 9.00pm’Where: Grant Street Theatre, Grant St, Southbank?Admission: Free?Bookings: vcam-ccd@unimelb.edu.au

Masters Exhibition
Presented by graduating students from the Master of Visual Art and Master of Fine Art, audiences will navigate an eclectic exhibition roaming through the Margaret Lawrence Gallery into the art school studios.
Exhibition dates: 6 - 11 December ’Opening: 5 December, 6.00pm - 8.00pm’Where: Margaret Lawrence Gallery, 40 Dodds St, Southbank?Opening hours: Tues - Sat, 12.00pm - 5.00pm?Admission: Free?Enquiries: 03 9035 9400

VCA School of Film and Television Graduate Screenings 2011
Audiences will have the chance to view the best short films from up and coming film makers as the VCA Film and Television cohort present their year’s work at ACMI in December.
When: 8 - 11 & 15 - 18 December:?Where: ACMI Cinemas, Australia Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne?Admission: $12 Full, $9 Concession, Restricted 18+?Bookings: ACMI Box Office on 03 8663 2583 or www.acmi.net.au