1999 VAN CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION FOR OUTSTANDING AMATEURS

The Van Cliburn Foundation, presenter of the famous Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, launches its first ever International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs, June 9th-13th, on the campus of Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.

Presented in collaboration with the highly successful Concours des Grands Amateurs de Piano, founded in 1989 by Gerard Bekerman and held annually in Paris, the competition is open to anyone (minimum age thirty) for whom making music is more than a vocation but less than an occupation. All competitors will be considered amateurs in the best sense of that word, not as those who 'dabble', but who have engaged in the study of music as a serious pastime rather than as a profession - sometimes having had to make a choice between their profession and their potential career as a concert artist.

The Jury for the International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs will be chaired by John Giordano, Chairman of the Jury for the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and Music Director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, with the participation of Gerard Bekerman, professor of Economics at the University of Paris. Other members will include distinguished music faculty from the University of North Texas, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, and the TCU/Cliburn Piano Institute, as well as music critics and other notable industry professionals.

All performances will take place on the campus of Texas Christian University (former home of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition) and will be open to the public. Practice facilities and instruments will be accessible to the 94 selected competitors during the week of the Competition.

The Van Cliburn Foundation is principally known for the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, held every four years in Fort Worth, Texas since 1962. Today the Van Cliburn Competition is a joyous festival dedicated to the discovery and nurturing of the world's finest young pianists (the Eleventh Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is scheduled from May 25th to June 10th 2001).

Competition Format

Up to eighteen semifinalists will present a programme not to exceed a total of twenty minutes.

Six finalists will present a programme not to exceed thirty minutes (works from the preliminary and semifinal rounds may be repeated).

'Competitors are free to choose their own programmes for all phases of the competition; however, it is suggested that the repertory reflect a variety of musical styles, periods, and composers. Separate movements of larger works will be accepted but must be performed in their entirety. Works do not have to be memorized.'

Awards

The TCU/Cliburn Piano Institute presents its Amateurs Programme June 1st-9th and June 14th-22nd to coincide with the Amateur Competition. Designed for all piano enthusiasts from many diverse professional backgrounds, this programme offers an opportunity to perform in masterclass with internationally renowned artists and teachers. Several participants will also be selected to perform with a professional chamber orchestra.

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