Van Cliburn International Piano Competition jobs for Big Six
committees
Every four years, the Van Cliburn International Piano
Competition welcomes 30 gifted young pianists thanks to a large
number of dedicated volunteers and the entire city of Fort Worth.
Six chairmen (the "Big Six") oversee all aspects of the competition
and a 1,200-person volunteer force. Without this unique structure
and the support of these special people, it would not be possible
to produce a competition of this caliber.
- Competitor Housing: This committee oversees
the matching of competitors to host families and works throughout
the year to find the most compatible arrangements to make each
competitor feel as at home as possible. The committee also oversees
the evaluation and placement of Steinway pianos in homes and
practice venues for each competitor to have the best possible
instrument to achieve their goals. During the competition, they
assist host families with any back-up they might need.
- Cliburn Shop: The Cliburn operates a gift shop
in the lobby of Bass Performance Hall during the competition, as
well as during the Fort Worth portion of the Screening Auditions in
February at TCU. These volunteers select products, display design,
and oversee CD and DVD sales over the course of 33 performances. It
is the 'hub' of competition activity and always the source of the
latest news.
- Entertainment: This committee oversees all
social events, from the Opening Dinner to the Final Round of the
competition. This includes invitations, calligraphy of
certificates, Jury Host Families, all Jury meals, hosts and
hostesses, volunteer parties, the Platinum/Golden Circle reception
area at the hall, RSVPs, and Screening Auditions. They also assist
the conductor, quartet, and sponsors.
- Facility Arrangements: This committee is
charged with making sure everyone involved has exactly what they
need at any given time during the 3-week period at Bass Performance
Hall and The Worthington Hotel hospitality suite. They provide back
and front of house support, backstage mothering, a competitor
welcome suite, parking and security, and visitor information
staffing. If a particularly hard-to-find light bulb of certain
wattage is required, this committee will deliver!
- Production/Logistics: This committee makes
sure that every venue or hostess has the items they need to ensure
a successful event, down to counting every cup and napkin. They
also acquire and copy competitors' music for each juror at each
performance, deliver daily programs, provide information books at
every location, and arrange jury and official guest transportation,
and they are jury shepherds at the ready. The committee also
facilitates volunteer hospitality, emergency care for competitors
and jurors, produces name tags, and arranges airport transportation
for long distance travelers.
- Public Relations: This committee assists with
the Adopt-a-Competitor program with the Fort Worth Independent
School District, as well as with the banner project for selected
art classes to paint banners to be hung during the month of May.
They oversee banner installation, design, and location, solicit
downtown business for special needs, manage support and hospitality
for the press room, oversee the Piano Marathon, and distribute and
hang 300 posters in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, as well as
produce packets for many guests during the competition. Scrapbooks
are made of every item published all over the world, and the
Speaker's Bureau prepares and speaks to various organizations
throughout the year.
International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs
®
Every four years alternating with the Cliburn Competition, 75
amateur pianists are welcomed from all over the world to compete
and enjoy a 'festival' atmosphere on the Texas Christian University
campus. The weeklong experience offers competitors over the age of
35 a chance to perform masterpieces in front of live audiences and
cheer each other on as they celebrate their love for classical
music. Volunteers help support their efforts through hospitality,
ushering, the gift shop, transportation, page turning, and office
support.
Year-round support
Transporting winners of competitions or Cliburn Concerts
visiting artists is a special way to get to know each performer in
a one-on-one setting. These volunteers transport performers to or
from the airport.
Occasional office support is needed throughout each year with
mailings, phone answering, and various other projects.
