JURY RESPONSIBILITIES

The top three prize winners of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition will immediately embark on a performance career that will include concert tours of up to 50 engagements in the debut season, the release of commercial recordings, and media scrutiny. The Competition jury is tasked with selecting artists who have demonstrated the highest standards of musicianship throughout the Competition and are ready for this opportunity. The chairman of the jury is selected by the Cliburn and, as head of the jury, will:

• Follow all the rules and guidelines as put forth in the Jury Handbook,

• In support of the Cliburn president and CEO, uphold the integrity of the jury and voting process,

• Ensure that voting is conducted in an orderly manner,

• Observe the tabulation of votes, and

• Announce the results of the votes at each Announcement and the Awards Ceremony.

COMPETITION PHASES & REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS

General Rules Relating to Repertoire

• Repertoire for all rounds will consist of works chosen by the pianist. The Preliminary Round recital must include the commissioned work. Works may not be repeated during the Competition.

• Only complete works or movements of works accepted as standard performance repertoire (such as selections from Miroirs or Goyescas) will be accepted, as approved by the Cliburn.

• Repeats are at the discretion of the pianist.

• All works except for the piano quintet and commissioned work must be played from memory.

• Total performance times include applause and pauses, and will be strictly enforced. The jury retains the right to stop a performance if the pianist exceeds the allotted time.

Screening Auditions
From the 290 applications received by the Cliburn, 146 pianists were selected to be heard in live audition recitals for the Fifteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, held in seven locations: London, Hannover, Budapest, Moscow, Seoul, New York, and Fort Worth. If applicable, applicants who were unable to be scheduled in the public concerts, or unable to perform their scheduled audition due to extenuating circumstances as approved by the president and CEO of the Cliburn, were screened in Fort Worth via video recording.

Each candidate performed a 40-minute recital that was free and open to the public. The choice of repertoire was permitted to be drawn from works offered for the Preliminary, Quarterfinal, and Semifinal Round recitals. The screening jury—comprising Dmitri Alexeev, Michel Beroff, Janina Fialkowska, Jamie Parker, and Pamela Mia Paul—selected 30 pianists to be invited to compete in the Fifteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and five alternates.

Competition Order of Appearance
The order of appearance of pianists in the Preliminary Round will be determined by a drawing. Random competitor names will be drawn, and they will select their Preliminary Round performance order as their names are drawn. The Competition will follow this order except for reasons of accident, illness, or other unusual circumstances, at the discretion of the president and CEO of the Cliburn. Quarterfinalists will appear in the order they performed in the Preliminary Round. The order of appearance in the Semifinal and Final Rounds will depend on rehearsal scheduling, program content, and administrative requirements, and may vary from that of the previous round, as determined by the Cliburn in consultation with artistic collaborators.

Preliminary Round
Thirty (30) competitors have been invited to participate in the Fifteenth Cliburn Competition. Each pianist will perform one recital in the Preliminary Round, not to exceed 45 minutes in length. The repertoire must include the commissioned work by Marc-André Hamelin.

Quarterfinal Round
Twenty (20) competitors will be chosen by the jury as quarterfinalists of the Competition. Each pianist will perform one recital, not to exceed 45 minutes in length. The repertoire will consist of works chosen by the pianist.

Semifinal Round
Twelve (12) competitors will be chosen by the jury as semifinalists of the Competition. Each pianist will perform in two phases of the Semifinal Round. Phase I: Each pianist will perform a recital not to exceed 60 minutes in length. The repertoire will consist of works chosen by the pianist.

Phase II: Each pianist will perform a Mozart piano concerto with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas McGegan. Repertoire must be chosen from the following:

Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major, K. 271
Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466
Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467
Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat Major, K. 482
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488
Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K. 491
Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503
Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat Major, K. 595

Final Round
Six (6) competitors will be chosen by the jury as finalists of the Competition. Each pianist will perform in two phases of the Final Round. Phase I: Each pianist will perform a quintet with the Brentano String Quartet. Repertoire must be chosen from the following:

Brahms
Piano Quintet in F Minor, op. 34

Dvorák
Piano Quintet in A Major, op. 81

Franck
Piano Quintet in F Minor

Schumann
Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, op. 44

Phase II: Each pianist will perform a concerto with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, to be conducted by Leonard Slatkin. The pianist may choose any work scored for piano and symphony orchestra. The choice is subject to approval by the Cliburn and conductor of the Final Round, based on rehearsal requirements and other considerations.

JURY RULES

1. All members of the jury must attend the official jury orientation scheduled prior to the Competition, except under special circumstances, at the discretion of the president and CEO of the Cliburn, during which they will be given an official notebook containing information and all materials necessary for their adjudication, including sections on which to write their evaluations. These notebooks must be treated as documents containing privileged information that may not be divulged to anyone during the course of or after the Competition. All notebooks and their contents remain the property of the jury members.

2. Each member of the jury must attend every performance of each round. Failure to do so will disqualify the juror, except under extenuating circumstances, at the discretion of the president and CEO.

3. Subsequent to the first jury orientation meeting, official gatherings of the jury for the purpose of briefing or voting will be closed except for jurors, the chairman of the jury, a voting administrator responsible for tabulation of the votes, the president and CEO of the Cliburn, and a representative of the accounting firm Hatter and Associates, LLP. Any exceptions will be made at the discretion of the president and CEO.

4. Jurors will not discuss with any person whatsoever, including amongst themselves, their opinion of competitors’ performances or any other aspect of their adjudication responsibilities. This includes, but is not limited to, members of the press (on or off the record) and in any public forum, in person, or online, such as on blogs or social media—personal or professional.

5. Jurors may not communicate at any time during the Competition with competitors.

6. Any juror having, or having had during the preceding four years, a familial, teaching, or professional relationship with a competitor must declare such relationship. Voting on that competitor’s performance shall be held in accordance with the special voting procedure outlined below. Any juror who has had a long-term teaching or close relationship of any kind with a competitor at any time must disclose such relationship. Master classes do not count as a teaching relationship. Jurors are required to sign a conflict of interest waiver.

7. Jurors must refrain from verbal comment, demonstrative behavior, or any form of communication during competitors’ performances.

8. Jurors must have approval from the Cliburn’s director of marketing and public relations prior to accepting any media interviews or other requests. The marketing and public relations department will oversee all initial contacts with the press, the content of all materials and statements, and scheduling.

9. No individual or composite jury votes may be disclosed at any time to any person who is not a juror, the voting administrator responsible for tabulation of the votes, or the president and CEO of the Cliburn, except the final composite decision of the jury. At the conclusion of each round of the Competition, the final decision will be announced to the public after the Preliminary, Quarterfinal, and Semifinal Rounds by the jury chairman, and after the Final Round at the Awards Ceremony by the jury chairman, master of ceremonies, or as designated by the president and CEO.

10. Jurors must comply with all rules in the Jury Handbook. Any infraction of the rules by a juror may result in the dismissal of that juror and/or the disqualification of a competitor at the discretion of the president and CEO of the Cliburn.

VOTING PROCEDURES

The following procedures apply to the selection of competitors for the Quarterfinal, Semifinal, and Final Rounds. The jury will select, in no specific order, the 20 most qualified pianists for advancement to the Quarterfinal Round, 12 most qualified pianists for advancement to the Semifinal Round, and six most qualified pianists for advancement to the Final Round. Selections for advancement will be based on a composite evaluation of the competitors’ performances.

Ballots
Ballots will be distributed at the end of each round with the names of pianists listed in performance order. Each juror will indicate the competitors he/she selects for advancement to the next round, as well as a specific number of pianists whom the juror feels have the possibility to advance, i.e. “maybes.” After voting, the completed and signed ballots will be submitted directly to the voting administrator. The names will be entered into a computer and tabulated under the scrutiny of the jury chairman, the president and CEO of the Cliburn, and a representative of the accounting firm Hatter and Associates, LLP.

Results will be revealed to the jury in performance order. The relative standing of competitors will not be revealed.

Ties
In the event of a tie for the last place(s), and in order to avoid re-voting, the pianists selected as “maybe” votes will be taken into account. In the event of an unresolved tie for the last place(s) (after counting the “maybe” votes), a second ballot shall be held for the tied competitors, in order to select the required number of competitors equal to the number of place(s) remaining. If the tie remains unresolved, the chairman of the jury’s vote will be discarded. If the vote remains deadlocked after that, subsequent ballots will be taken. Jurors with familial, teaching, or professional relationships with competitors
Any juror having, or having had during the preceding four years, a familial, teaching, or professional relationship with a competitor must declare such relationship. Master classes do not count as a teaching relationship. The juror may, if he/she sees fit, include the name of this competitor on the ballot. However, in such cases, the juror’s opinion will not count as a vote on behalf of that particular competitor. When counting the votes for each competitor, the juror’s vote will be expressed as the ratio between the total number of votes received and number of jurors eligible to vote for that competitor. Specific procedures for each round are as follows:

I. Preliminary Round
The jury will select 20 competitors to advance to the Quarterfinal Round. Ballots with the 30 competitor names will be distributed on which each juror will mark the names of exactly 20 competitors to advance to the Quarterfinal Round in no order of preference. On the same ballot and to help resolve a possible tie, each juror must also notate the names of three “maybes” in no order of preference. The “Ties” procedure outlined above will be used to resolve a tie in the last place(s).

II. Quarterfinal Round
The jury will select 12 competitors to advance to the Semifinal Round, taking into consideration all performances up to this point. Ballots with the 20 quarterfinalist names will be distributed on which each juror will mark the names of exactly 12 competitors to advance to the Semifinal Round in no order of preference. On the same ballot and to help resolve a possible tie, each juror must also notate the names of three “maybes” in no order of preference. The “Ties” procedure outlined above will be used to resolve a tie in the last place(s).

III. Semifinal Round
The jury will select six competitors to advance to the Final Round, taking into consideration all performances up to this point. Ballots with the 12 semifinalist names will be distributed on which each juror will mark the names of exactly six competitors to advance to the Final Round in no order of preference. On the same ballot and to help resolve a possible tie, each juror must also notate the name of one “maybe.” The “Ties” procedure outlined above will be used to resolve a tie in the last place(s).

IV. Final Round
In awarding the prizes, the jury will render a final decision taking into consideration the pianist’s performances in the following:

1. Three recital performances:
a. Preliminary Round
b. Quarterfinal Round
c. Phase I of the Semifinal Round

2. A piano quintet with the Brentano String Quartet

3. A Mozart piano concerto with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nicholas McGegan

4. A piano concerto with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin

If a juror has, or has had during the preceding four years, a familial, teaching, or professional relationship with a competitor who is in the Final Round, that juror may participate in the gathering of the jury, but he/she will not be permitted to vote in the Final Round. The jury chairman/conductor will not vote for the ranked prizes. Should there be an exact tie (for example, two competitors get four votes each, or four competitors get two votes each), the jury chairman/conductor will vote to break the tie.

1. First Prize. Ballots will be distributed to the jury at the completion of the final performance. The jury will enter the name of one person to be awarded the first prize. Should none of the competitors attain at least half of the votes of the jurors entitled to vote and who did vote in the Final Round, then a further ballot shall be held to decide between the two competitors with the most votes.

a. Should there be a tie of three competitors for the highest number of votes, a second ballot shall be held to decide between the tied competitors. Should none of the tied competitors attain at least half of the votes, then a further ballot shall be held to decide between the two competitors with the most votes.

b. Should there be a tie between competitors for the second most votes, the jury will first hold a ballot to decide between those tied competitors. Another ballot will then be held between the winner of that vote and the competitor with the most votes (but who did not receive at least half of the votes).

c. Should there be an exact tie of four competitors for the highest number of votes, the jury chairman will vote for two of the tied competitors. A second ballot shall be held between the two selected by the jury chairman. He will not vote on this ballot unless there is an exact tie.

2. Second prize. After the winner of the first prize is selected, the second prize winner will be determined using the same procedure. Ballots will be distributed to the jury to name the silver medalist. The jury will enter the name of one person to be awarded the second prize without regard to the results of the first prize balloting.

3. Third prize. After the winner of the second prize is selected, the third prize winner will be determined using the same procedure. Ballots will be distributed to the jury to name the bronze medalist. The jury will enter the name of one person to be given the third prize without regard to the previous results.

4. The remaining finalists will not be ranked.

V. Special Awards
The jury will also select winners of special prizes, which will be announced during the Awards Ceremony: 1. one winner of the Beverly Taylor Smith Award for the Best Performance of the New Work 2. one winner of the Steven De Groote Memorial Award for the Best Performance of Chamber Music 3. up to three recipients of Jury Discretionary Awards, who do not also advance to the Final Round and/or receive awards for the best performance of chamber music and/or the commissioned work. 1. Beverly Taylor Smith Award for the Best Performance of the New Work.
After completion of the Preliminary Round, the jury will select one winner of the Beverly Taylor Smith Award for the Best Performance of the New Work.

a. Ballots will be distributed for the best performance of the commissioned work by Marc-André Hamelin to determine the top six competitors. Jurors will mark the name of six competitors from the Preliminary Round for the best performance of the commissioned work no order of preference. On the same ballot and to help resolve a possible tie, each juror must also notate the name of one “maybe” in no order of preference. In the event of a tie for the last place(s), and in order to avoid re-voting, the pianists selected as “maybe” votes will be taken into account. In the event of an unresolved tie for the last place(s) (after counting the “maybe” votes), a second ballot shall be held for the tied competitors, in order to select the required number of competitors equal to the number of place(s) remaining. If the tie remains unresolved, the chairman of the jury’s vote will be discarded. If the vote remains deadlocked after that, subsequent ballots will be taken.

b. A second ballot will be distributed with the top six competitors as determined by the vote above. Jurors will select one name from that list for the best performance of the commissioned work. Should none of the competitors attain at least half of the votes of the jurors, then a further ballot shall be held to decide between the two competitors with the most votes.

i. Should there be a tie between three or more competitors for the highest number of votes, a second ballot shall be held to decide between the tied competitors. Should none of the tied competitors attain at least half of the votes, then a further ballot shall be held to decide between the two competitors with the most votes.

ii. Should there be a tie between competitors for the second most votes, the jury will first hold a ballot to decide between those tied competitors. Another ballot will then be held between the winner of that vote and the competitor with the most votes but who did not receive at least half of the votes.

2. Steven De Groote Memorial Award for the Best Performance of Chamber Music.
After the completion of the piano quintet concerts in the Final Round, the jury will select one winner for the Steven De Groote Memorial Award for the Best Performance of Chamber Music. Ballots will be distributed for the best performance of the piano quintet. Jurors will list the name of one competitor from the Final Round for the best performance of the piano quintet. Should none of the competitors attain at least half of the votes of the jurors, then a further ballot shall be held to decide between the two competitors with the most votes.

a. Should there be a tie between three or more competitors for the highest number of votes, a second ballot shall be held to decide between the tied competitors. Should none of the tied competitors attain at least half of the votes, then a further ballot shall be held to decide between the two competitors with the most votes. b. Should there be a tie between competitors for the second most votes, the jury will first hold a ballot to decide between those tied competitors. Another ballot will then be held between the winner of that vote and the competitor with the most votes but who did not receive at least half of the votes.

3. Jury Discretionary Awards

At any time after the completion of the Semifinal Round and selection of the winner for the best performance of the commissioned work, a ballot will be distributed for the three Jury Discretionary Awards at the completion of the Semifinal Round: John Giordano Jury Chairman; Raymond E. Buck; and a third one. Jurors will enter three names in no order of preference. On the same ballot and to help resolve a possible tie, each juror must also notate the name of one “maybe” in no order of preference. The awards will be granted to the three competitors with the highest count of votes who do not also advance to the Final Round and/or receive the award for the best performance of the commissioned work. In the event of a tie for the last place(s), and in order to avoid re-voting, the pianists selected as “maybe” votes will be taken into account. In the event of an unresolved tie for the last place(s) (after counting the “maybe” votes), a second ballot shall be held for the tied competitors, in order to select the required number of competitors equal to the number of place(s) remaining. If the tie remains unresolved, the chairman of the jury’s vote will be discarded. If the vote remains deadlocked after that, subsequent ballots will be taken.