Eighth Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition

Competition Dates: May 24–30, 2020
Application Due Date: January 16, 2020

The Cliburn invites outstanding nonprofessional pianists to apply for the Eighth Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition, taking place on May 24–30, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas at Van Cliburn Recital Hall and Bass Performance Hall. “A celebration of music, and the people who have to make music, no matter what” (The Boston Globe), the Competition is open to amateur pianists age 35 and over who do not derive their principal source of income through piano performance, instruction, or composition. 48 pianists will be selected as competitors. New this year, an additional 24 pianists will be selected as non-competing festival participants. They will play up to 15 minutes for comments from jurors and participate in other activities and events. Please read all rules and guidelines below carefully before you apply.

We are proud to welcome Ralph Votapek, gold medalist of the First Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1962, as jury chairman, and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will perform with each of six finalists  under the baton of acclaimed conductor Damon Gupton on the Bass Hall stage. Full repertoire requirements can be found below.

The Cliburn defines “amateur” as one who says he or she is an amateur. All competitors will be considered amateurs in the best sense of the word—not as those who “dabble,” but as those who play the piano as a serious pastime rather than as a profession—sometimes having had to make the difficult choice between their profession and their potential career as a concert artist. Many past Amateur Competition participants have, at one time in their lives, received advanced piano degrees; others have never studied the piano professionally. Amateur Competition prizes have been awarded both to those with extensive public performing experience, as well as to those who have spent many hours playing mostly for their own enjoyment or for the pleasure of friends, family, and their local community. All, however, are united by their love of classical music-making and sharing this passion with others of like mind.

If you need technical assistance, please click on the green help button at the left side of your screen.

For questions about the application process or requirements, please contact Michael Bellinson at mbellinson@cliburn.org or by phone at +1.817.738.6536.

ELIGIBILITY

1. Applicants should be those who play piano for pleasure and dedication to the instrument and its repertoire. They may not perform, teach, or compose piano music primarily for professional pursuit or financial benefit. All decisions of eligibility by the Cliburn are final.
   
   
2. Applicants must be age 35 or over by May 24, 2020.
   
   
3. Previous first-prize winners of the Cliburn Amateur Competition (formerly the International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs) are not eligible.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. The Eighth Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition will be held at the Van Cliburn Recital Hall and Bass Performance Hall from May 24 to May 30, 2020. Competitors will be required to be present for the orientation and welcome party on May 23, 2020.
   
   
2. The Cliburn will invite 48 competitors and up to 24 festival participants to take part.
   
   
3. Competitors and festival participants will be responsible for their own travel and housing. Practice facilities and instruments will be available for all competitors during the week of the Competition.
   
   
4. Competitors and festival participants will be required to pay a $120 US fee towards the cost of festival events and amenities.
   
   
5. In some cases, foreign competitors will need visas and will be responsible for securing them. The Cliburn will assist as needed after competitors are announced.
   
   
6. In addition to Competition rounds, the Cliburn will organize several performance and social opportunities for all participants throughout the week, including public recitals, chamber music readings, and symposia.

IMPORTANT DATES

February 22, 2019        Online applications open

January 16, 2020          Applications due

March 12, 2020            Competitors announced

May 23, 2020               Orientation and Welcome Party

RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATIONS

1. All applications must be completed and submitted through the online system via cliburn.org.
   
   
2. All applications are due by 11:59 CST / GMT-6 on Thursday, January 16, 2020. No late or partial applications will be accepted.
   
   
3. All applicants must submit a nonrefundable application fee of $125 US, payable through the online application system.
   
   
4. Applications will include uploads of:
   1. 15-20 minute video performance
   2. Birth certificate or equivalent proof of age
   3. High-resolution color photographs (300 dpi or higher), including one color headshot suitable for publicity purposes
   4. A current curriculum vitae
5. An acknowledgment will be sent to each applicant upon receipt of the completed online application. Applicants will not be allowed to submit unless all information is complete.
   
   
6. All applicants should retain copies of their submitted applications. The Cliburn will accept no responsibility for applications not received.
   
   
7. All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and treated as confidential. The Cliburn reserves the right to request additional information from or about an applicant.

RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE COMPETITION

1. The Competition will consist of three separate rounds: Preliminary, Semifinal, and Final.
   
   
2. The selection committee will invite 48 pianists to compete. The jury will not advance more than 20 pianists to the Semifinal Round, or more than 6 to the Final Round.
   
   
3. The order of appearance of pianists in the Preliminary Round will be determined by the Cliburn. The Semifinal Round of Competition will follow this order except for reasons of accident, illness, or other unusual circumstances at the discretion of the president of the Cliburn. The order of appearance in the Final Round will depend on rehearsal scheduling, program content, and administrative requirements, and may vary from that of the Preliminary and Semifinal Rounds. All phases of the Competition will be open to the public.
   
   
4. A Steinway concert grand piano will be provided for pianists’ performances. All competitors will have 10 minutes to try out the piano in the performance hall prior to the Competition.
   
   
5. Competition performances may be webcast live and recorded for subsequent broadcast, video, or audio recording use. Crews may photograph and audio/visually record all Competition events. Neither the Cliburn nor its assignees or licensees may be held liable for any payments to pianists arising out of materials derived from Competition performances. Applicants are required to sign a release form yielding all rights on such materials to the Cliburn, its assignees, or its licensees.
   
   
6. Pianists may not contact or speak with any member of the jury as long as they continue to compete in the Competition. Any violation of this rule may disqualify the pianist.

ROUNDS & REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS

Video Screening
All applicants must submit a 15-20 minute audition video with repertoire of the applicant’s choosing. Works performed in the screening videos may be performed during the Competition rounds. The video must be filmed with both the pianist’s face and hands in the frame at all times. Recordings may be paused between each repertoire selection. Each work on the video must be a continuous and unedited performance. Videos must not be filmed more than six months prior to submission.

Preliminary Round (May 24–26, 48 competitors)
Competitors will each present a solo recital, not to exceed 15 minutes in length, of repertoire of their choosing.  

Semifinal Round (May 27–28, 20 competitors)
Semifinalists will each present a solo recital, not to exceed 28 minutes in length, of repertoire of their choosing. Repertoire from the Preliminary Round may not be repeated.

Final Round (May 30, 6 competitors)
Finalists will each perform one concerto movement, selected from the list below, with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Damon Gupton.

BACH Keyboard Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052: I. Allegro
BACH Keyboard Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052: III. Allegro
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, op. 15: I. Allegro con brio
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, op. 15: III. Rondo. Allegro scherzando
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, op. 19:I. Allegro con brio
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, op. 19: III. Rondo. Molto allegro
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, op. 37: I. Allegro con brio (NEW)
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, op. 37: III. Rondo. Allegro (NEW)
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, op. 58: III. Rondo. Vivace (NEW)
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, op. 73: III. Rondo. Allegro
GRIEG Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 16: I. Allegro molto moderato (NEW)
GRIEG Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 16: III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato (NEW)
MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, op. 25: I. Molto allegro con fuoco (NEW)
MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, op. 25: III. Presto—Molto allegro vivace
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major, K. 271: I. Allegro
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major, K. 271: III. Rondeau. Presto
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467: I. Allegro maestoso
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467: III. Allegro vivace assai
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488: I. Allegro
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488: III. Allegro assai
PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26: I. Andante—Allegro (NEW)
PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26: II. Tema con variazioni. Andantino (NEW)
PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26: III. Allegro, ma non troppo (NEW)
SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 22: I. Andante sostenuto
SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 22: II. Allegro scherzando
SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 22: III. Presto
SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, op. 103: I. Allegro animato
SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, op. 103: II. Andante
SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, op. 103: III. Molto allegro
SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 54: I. Allegro affettuoso
SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 54: III. Allegro vivace
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major, op. 102: I. Allegro
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major, op. 102: III. Allegro     
TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor, op. 23: III. Allegro con fuoco (NEW)

RULES RELATED TO REPERTOIRE

1. Competitors are free to choose their own programs for all recital phases of the Competition. Applicants may perform any work written for solo piano by a classical composer of any era, including contemporary music. It is suggested that the repertoire reflect a variety of musical periods and composers. Returning competitors are encouraged to present repertoire that they have not performed at previous competitions.
   
   
   1. If an applicant also composes original music in a classical style, s/he may include such works, but at least 75% of the repertoire timing must be written by another composer and published.
      
      
   2. Broadway show tunes, movie music, jazz, folk, and other forms of popular music generally will not be eligible for consideration.
      
      
2. No works may be repeated in subsequent rounds.
   
   
3. Total performance times must include applause and pauses, and will be strictly enforced.
   
   
4. Individual movements of larger works will be accepted but must be performed in their entirety.
   
   
5. Repeats are at the discretion of the pianist.
   
   
6. Works do not have to be memorized (a page turner can be provided).
   
   
7. If requested, the pianist must supply a copy of the edition of the score used in preparation of each work performed to the jury.

RULES RELATING TO PRIZES

1. The prizes and awards specified on the Cliburn website will constitute the only prizes and awards of the Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition. No other prizes, awards, or remunerations will be permitted, except by express decision of the Cliburn.
   
   
2. Taxes will be deducted from prizes according to the United States tax laws in effect at the time of the Competition.

RIGHTS AND RESERVATIONS

1. Applicants may not commit any act or do anything which might tend to bring himself/herself into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, or ridicule, or which might tend to reflect unfavorably on the Cliburn, or any sponsor, donor, or partner of the Cliburn. If, at any time, an applicant is involved in any such situation or occurrence during the application process, the period between the selection of competitors and the Competition, and/or during the Competition, the Cliburn has the right, in its sole discretion, to take any action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to disqualification from the Competition or revocation of any awards.
   
   
2. All rounds and auxiliary events of the Competition may be audio/visually recorded and/or photographed. The Cliburn reserves the right to duplicate, distribute, broadcast, display, and otherwise use all recordings, and the names and/or likenesses of all competitors, for any purposes on any platform, whether now known or yet devised. Neither the Cliburn, nor its assignees or licenses may be held liable for any payments to pianists arising out of materials derived from any Competition performances and/or events. All participants are required to sign a release form yielding all rights on such materials to the Cliburn, its assignees, or licenses.
   
   
3. All information contained in this document is correct at the time of publication. However, the Cliburn reserves the right to make any changes if circumstances dictate.