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Arts at Adriatic

 

UWC Adriatic is not an Arts College. We are, however, a highly artistic school. Our many concerts, performances, productions and exhibitions speak for themselves. The quality of performances and of creating Art in whatever shape or form, is often simply astonishing. At UWC Adriatic students engage in many different forms of Arts: Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Film, Poetry, Dance. Sometimes with guidance from teachers, often simply because they have a passion and talent for it.

While we will always try our best to make the final performances as good as possible, the educational focus is definitely on the process of engaging in the different Arts rather than on a polished final performance. Through this process students learn to develop realistic goals, overcome challenges, communicate, listen, express themselves in a variety of ways, think creatively, collaborate with each other and deal with success and failure. These are skills that students will need as they embark on their own life journeys beyond UWC Adriatic.

A woman in a light green dress sings into a microphone on stage with a group of people in the background, dressed in various colors. The lighting casts a multicolored glow.

Is there a better way to educate students for a peaceful future than for them to experience and learn empathy and compassion, collaboration, problem-solving and conflict resolution?

They learn this through engaging in the Arts, whether it is in Theatre performances, choir, rock bands, orchestra, dance, musical, a-cappella etc. Kurt Hahn, the founder of the UWC movement, believed in the benefits of exposing students to challenging experiences that enable them to rise above adversity and overcome their own defeatism. They realise that they can achieve more than they thought possible, and learn to serve others with their strength. In that regard, going on a wilderness trek, venturing into the sea or performing music,  theatre or dance are not dissimilar. It is the very essence of Experiential Learning.

 

 

 

Through the Arts we learn from each other, we learn about each other, we learn to appreciate and support each other, we learn how to address and solve conflicts and how to work with each other. We learn to reflect and evaluate. We also learn about ourselves, our limits, our comfort zone and the difficulty of going beyond that. We learn about the power of emotions, how they can reinforce a message – and the responsibility that comes with that. We learn to listen and we learn to support. We learn to be the best version of ourselves and we learn to encourage others around us to aspire to the same goal. We learn that this is a truly lifelong process. We learn to embrace failure and to regard it as progress and an opportunity – however painful the experience might be. This does not finish with an exam or with a diploma, it is ongoing, lifelong. Students learn that what matters most is not the final result but rather the mindset with which we approach the process.

 

 

“
The Arts are not simply an add-on that makes an education more well-rounded and complete. Engaging students in the Arts, in whatever shape or form, is a powerful tool to educate people for a better future.
”
Christoph Genz
Director of Performing Arts at UWC Adriatic

 

 

Events Calendar – UWC Adriatic

Voices Through the Arts

I clearly remember how nervous I was the first time my colleagues and I presented a Romanian dance on stage for the Christmas Concert. Sharing something so close to my heart with people coming from different cultural backgrounds represented a vulnerable moment for me. As soon as we went offstage, we were only met with smiles and congratulations, which greatly elevated my feelings of belonging to what is a true UWC community.

Daria

(UWC Adriatic 2022-2024)
At UWC Adriatic, I was given countless opportunities to learn, experience, and grow through music. The various concerts and musical events where I had the chance to perform were among the highlights of my time at the college as they pushed me to overcome challenges and step out of my comfort zone. I am deeply grateful for the abundance of opportunities the school provided in music and the arts.

Jacob

(UWC Adriatic 2022-2024)
Seeing the joy my passion for singing brought to the elderly women I visited each week consistently proved to me how bonding and meaningful music is, especially in small communities like ours. These visits have created memories filled with friendship, creativity, emotions, and a deep sense of community and belonging

Jona

(UWC Adriatic 2021-2023)
Dancing at the College has allowed me to build deep and meaningful connections with peers from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. It has also given me the opportunity to share my own culture and helped me feel more confident and comfortable in my own body

Tsvetelina

(UWC Adriatic 2022-2024)
The music experience at UWC Adriatic taught me to appreciate the diverse cultures at the College, broadening my perspective beyond what I gained as an international student. Most importantly, I discovered the power of music and art to connect and unite people, helping to overcome conflicts.

Shueib

(UWC Adriatic 2022-2024)
Leading the Musical activity at UWC Adriatic allowed me to experience the remarkable talent and passion my peers exhibited in singing, dancing, acting, designing, and collaborating. This experience profoundly impacted and inspired me, deepening my appreciation for the diverse world of the arts and its ability to bring people together. It reinforced my belief that anyone, regardless of their culture, religion, belief or level of skill, can find a place and a voice within this vibrant community

Lenny

(UWC Adriatic 2022-2024)
Through the Art programme at UWC Adriatic I was able to immerse myself in different forms of art to express my true self. Whether I was singing, playing the piano, or acting, every moment spent on stage was a journey of self-discovery and growth, enriching my character and deepening my understanding of who I am

Serena

(UWC Adriatic 2022-2024)
Visual Arts for me was a platform to physically consolidate my personal perspectives on contemporary social and political events, free from the expectation of already knowing how to address them. This process allows me to visualise and clarify my current understanding, providing me with a foundation from which I can begin or continue to act in all areas of my life

Anna

(UWC Adriatic 2022-2024)
Visual Arts for me was a platform to physically consolidate my personal perspectives on contemporary social and political events, free from the expectation of already knowing how to address them. This process allows me to visualise and clarify my current understanding, providing me with a foundation from which I can begin or continue to act in all areas of my life

Lena

(UWC Adriatic 2022-2024)
I learned how to play the guitar thanks to the Music programme. I was able to express my love for music with the graceful rhythms and notes of African music and to communicate the message of peace, love and harmony.

Chungu

(UWC Adriatic 2022-24)
Setting up a student-led a-cappella group confirmed my belief that our musical success was rooted not only in the sense of ownership and freedom we had over the music, but also in the friendship, the feeling of purpose and belonging that this shared endeavor gave us all.

Lena

(UWC Adriatic 2021-23)

History

 

1989
Three men stand talking in front of a large building with ivy climbing its walls. The man on the left wears a suit, the man in the middle a sweater and glasses, and the man on the right a cardigan. The scene is set on a gravel path.
The International School of Chamber Music of the Trio di Trieste is established. The members of the celebrated trio were Dario De Rosa (piano), Renato Zanettovich (violin) and Amedeo Baldovino (cello).
2013
Three men in formal attire pose with musical instruments in a black and white photo. One holds a cello, another a violin, and the third stands with his hands on their shoulders, suggesting they are musicians. The background is plain.
After the sad passing of two of the original members of the Trio di Trieste, in 2013 the music school was renamed the ‘International Chamber Music Academy’ with musical direction from the Trio di Parma, Alberto Miodini (piano), Ivan Rabaglia (violin) and Enrico Bronzi (cello).
2015
A group of older men in suits are gathered in a well-lit room, engaging in conversation. One man holds a yellow envelope while talking to another. Many other people in formal attire are visible in the background.
In the presence of the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, the International Chamber Music Academy became the International Community Music Academy (ICMA) in recognition of the diverse musical traditions celebrated at the school.
2023
A diverse group of people singing on stage, some with microphones. They are wearing various colorful outfits and appear to be enjoying the performance. The audience is clapping along energetically.
Students performinng at the Opening Ceremony held in Venice to celebrate the college’s 40th anniversary.