The Cliburn—best known for producing one of the top classical piano contests in the world—celebrates its 40^th Anniversary this year as a member of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. But the story goes back much further than that.  

After Texas’ own Van Cliburn famously won the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow at the height of the Cold War in 1958 (and became an international icon), Dr. Irl Allison, head of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, was pondering starting a similar competition in the United States. Such a global event may have naturally been founded in New York, the headquarters for classical music in this part of the world. But Dr. Allison was so impressed with the strength of the Fort Worth Piano Teachers Forum and its leader, Mrs. Grace Ward Lankford, that the Guild offered $10,000 to the first prize for an international competition organized in honor of Van Cliburn—in Fort Worth, Texas. 

So the people of Fort Worth went to work, and this is where the Chamber comes in. 

“The prerequisite necessity now was enlisting the cooperation of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, to undertake the financial undergirding, knowing that a budget of $75,000 would be needed. This was moving in a new direction, but there eventuated complete cooperation by a board of forty-five leading business and cultural leaders. 

To provide adequate physical setting the Chamber of Commerce requested Texas Christian University, through Chancellor M.E. Sadler and Dean of Fine Arts Frank Hughes, to make its fine facilities, in auditorium, stage, pianos and practice rooms, available to the enterprise. 

The four sponsoring units were now associated [National Guild of Piano Teachers, Fort Worth Piano Teachers Forum, the Chamber, and TCU], and there came into existence, later to be incorporated, the Van Cliburn International Quadrennial Piano Competition.” 

The First Cliburn Competition took place in 1962 and quickly took its place as one of the most respected in the world. In the 63 years since, it has continuously grown in prestige and impact. Known as an innovative force in classical music with a strong dedication to supporting artists and a massive international reach, the Cliburn is one of the best vehicles for exceptional young pianists to establish major careers. The last edition in 2022 grew exponentially in audience, amassing more than 60 million views online across 177 countries, rivaling the Game of Thrones finale. It also launched the career of Yunchan Lim, the latest superstar pianist who has been called a once-in-a-generation talent. He’s already played most major venues in the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Center, and their equivalents around the globe. 

Fort Worth is intertwined with the Cliburn’s brand and its international reputation. It’s the signature hospitality and warmth that competitors, classical music VIPs, and international press remember long after their time here. The city’s personality is the special sauce. 

In its early years, the competition was run entirely by volunteers, and today it boasts more than 600 Fort Worthians who play pivotal roles in planning, producing, and hospitality—including hosting competitors in their homes. The city transforms from Cowtown to PianoTown during the Cliburn, with piano key crosswalks, music-themed street banners painted by Fort Worth ISD students, and so much more. (If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out the Cliburn mural on South Main at Vickery.)   

Coming back to the Chamber’s original role in the “financial undergirding” … Fort Worth’s foundations, philanthropists, and businesses form the core of support for this international event. And with great return on that investment, as the Cliburn focuses the eyes of the world on our city and brings our city to the world. 

The seventeenth edition of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is just around the corner: May 21–June 8, 2025, at Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU and Bass Performance Hall in Sundance Square. There are a variety of ways to take part and continue the now more than six-decade tradition of producing this cultural gem. You don’t want to miss this once-every-four-years opportunity. Sponsorships are easy to tailor to your company’s needs. For information, write Kim Blouin at kblouin@cliburn.org. And everyone can attend the concerts. In fact, join us for:  

Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Night at the Cliburn 
Thursday, May 29, 2025 
7:30 p.m. 
Bass Performance Hall 
Four competitors perform Mozart concertos with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
35% off tickets HERE with code PARTNER