The Cliburn announces the launch of a major new program: the Cliburn International Competition for Conductors, open to 21- to 35-year-old conductors. Taking place in June 2028 in Houston, Texas, in partnership with the Houston Symphony and the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, it will be the first major international conducting competition in North America.
The platform and exposure we get from this competition, and the support we get both from within the organization and audiences around the world is just incredible.
The Cliburn has been a fabric of our cultural environment in Fort Worth since the 1960s, and its reach to the national and international stages is invaluable.
The Cliburn is in a league of its own. These are Olympic-level pianists, and everyone should take advantage of the opportunity to participate and to hear these young people perform.
For competitors, the Cliburn offers an unparalleled exposure to the international media, presenters, and industry leaders—forging relationships long before the final notes are played—and the Fort Worth audiences will applaud and encourage you as no other audience anywhere.
The dedication of your time and resources fulfills the Cliburn’s mission of providing life-changing opportunities for young pianists, participatory music education for public elementary school children, and access to excellent art for lovers of music.
