Application and Rules

Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists

for pianists age 13 to 17  •  JUNE 10–19 2027  •  DALLAS, TEXAS USA 
SMU & Meyerson Symphony Center

The Cliburn invites talented pianists to apply for the Fourth Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists, for artists age 13 to 17, taking place June 10–19, 2027, in Dallas, Texas. The event will include an in-residence fellowship program, beginning on June 7 on the campus of Southern Methodist University (SMU), consisting of masterclasses, workshops, artist conversations, performance opportunities, and other scheduled activities. 

The Cliburn will invite 38 artists to participate as Piano Fellows, who are required to stay on campus and participate in all activities. From this group, 24 pianists will be selected to compete for prizes. While actively competing, these Fellows will follow an individualized schedule that includes designated rehearsal time and adjudicated performances. Once a competing pianist is no longer active in the competition, he/she will resume participation in the full fellowship schedule.

The Preliminary and Semifinal Rounds will take place in Caruth Auditorium at SMU. The Final Round will be held at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, where six finalists will perform a concerto movement with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with conductor Maurice Cohn. 

Please read all rules and guidelines carefully before you apply. 

For questions about the application process or requirements, please contact Eli Miller at [email protected], or by phone at +1.817.738.6536.

Rules and Requirements

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. The Fourth Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists (herein “Competition”) will be held on the campus of SMU in Dallas, Texas from June 10–19, 2027. 
2. The Cliburn will invite 38 pianists to participate as Piano Fellows for the Competition. From this group, 24 pianists will be selected to compete for prizes.
3. Piano Fellows are required to be in residence from June 7 through June 20, 2027, on the campus of SMU, and participate fully in the fellowship program, including masterclasses, workshops, performances, and other scheduled activities. Piano Fellows may not have any other commitments during the Competition, and must remain in Dallas for the duration of the program.
4. While actively competing, pianists will follow an individualized schedule that includes designated rehearsal times and adjudicated performances. Once a competing pianist is no longer active in the competition, he/she will resume participation in the full fellowship schedule.
5. Piano Fellows are fully funded. All housing, meals, and transportation will be provided by the Cliburn. Pianists will be provided with one economy-class, round-trip plane ticket to Dallas from their place of residence.
6. In some cases, Fellows residing outside of the United States will need visas and will be responsible for securing them. The Cliburn will assist as needed after pianists have been notified of acceptance.

KEY DATES

• March 5, 2026 – Online applications open
• November 17, 2026 – Applications due
• January 26, 2027 – Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance 
• February 9, 2027 – Piano Fellows announced
• February 23, 2027 – Last day to make repertoire changes
• June 7, 2027 – Fellowship program begins
• June 10, 2027 – Competition begins
• June 19, 2027 – Awards Ceremony
• June 20, 2027 – Departure

ELIGIBILITY

The Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists is open to pianists of all nationalities. Previous first-prize winners of the Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists are not eligible to apply. Applicants must have been born on or before June 7, 2014, and after June 19, 2010.

APPLICATION RULES

1. All applications must be completed and submitted through the online system via Cliburn.org. 
2. All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. CST / GMT-6 on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. No late applications will be accepted. 
3. All applicants must submit a non-refundable application fee of $125 USD, payable through the online application system.
4. An acknowledgment will be sent to each applicant upon receipt of the completed online application. You will not be allowed to submit unless all information is complete.
5. 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.
6. All applicants should retain copies of their submitted applications. The Cliburn will accept no responsibility for applications that are not received.

COMPETITION RULES

1. The competition will consist of three separate rounds: Preliminary, Semifinal, and Final. All rounds will be open to the public and will be webcast live and on demand.
2. Twenty-four (24) pianists will be invited to compete. The jury will advance 12 pianists to the Semifinal Round, and 6 to the Final Round.
3. The order of appearance of pianists in the Preliminary Round will be determined by drawing. The competition will follow this order except for reasons of accident, illness, or other unusual circumstances, at the discretion of the president and CEO of the Cliburn. The order of appearance in the Final Round will depend on program content and administrative requirements, as determined by the Cliburn.
4. Competing pianists may not contact or speak privately with any member of the jury for as long as they continue to compete. Any violation of this rule may disqualify this pianist.

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 Competition for Young Pianists. 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 United States tax laws in effect at the time of the Competition.
3. A portion of the prize is related to furthering musical advancement. If one or any of the top three prizewinners does not make a suitable proposal for the use of the scholarship money within one year of the Competition, that winner forfeits this portion of the prize, at the discretion of the president and CEO of the Cliburn.

RIGHTS AND RESERVATIONS

1. Applicants are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner consistent with industry standards for artists. Applicants shall refrain from engaging in conduct that could reasonably be expected to result in material reputational harm to themselves, the Cliburn, or its sponsors, donors, and partners. If an applicant becomes involved in circumstances that could reasonably give rise to such reputational harm, the Cliburn reserves the right, in its reasonable discretion, to take appropriate action. Such action may include, without limitation, disqualification and/or expulsion from the Competition.
2. It is anticipated that all rounds of the competition will be broadcast live and recorded. The Cliburn may broadcast live, record and/or photograph the Competition for subsequent use, in any manner or for any purpose the Cliburn deems appropriate, and on all media now known or hereafter devised. Neither the Cliburn, nor its assignees or licensees, may be held liable for any payments to Piano Fellows arising out of materials derived from the Competition. Applicants are required to sign a release form yielding all rights on such materials to the Cliburn, its assignees, or licensees.
3. All information contained in this document is correct at the time of publication. However, the Cliburn reserves the right to make changes.

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS

Video Submissions

Video submissions must be 15 to 20 minutes in length and include one virtuosic etude, one movement of a Classical sonata, and one slow, lyrical work, following the requirements for the Preliminary and Semifinal Rounds. Works performed in the screening videos may be repeated during the 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 be filmed within six months of submission. 

Preliminary Round (24 competitors) 

Each pianist will perform a recital not to exceed 30 minutes in length. The recital must include:

1. One Bach Prelude and Fugue (Fugue must consist of three or four voices)
2. One fast, virtuosic etude. The choice is subject to approval by the Cliburn. 
3. One lyrical work to be selected from the following:
   1. any nocturne by Chopin, Fauré, or John Field
   2. any Mendelssohn Songs Without Words
   3. any Brahms Intermezzo
4. The remainder of the program may be chosen by the pianist.

Semifinal Round (12 competitors)

The Semifinal Round will be held in two phases:

PHASE I: Each pianist must perform a recital not to exceed 40 minutes in length. The recital must include the following:

• the first or last movement of one of the following Classical sonatas (sonatas may be played in their entirety):
  • Any Haydn sonata
  • Any Mozart sonata
  • One of the following Beethoven sonatas:
    • Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, op. 2, no. 1
    • Sonata No. 2 in A Major, op. 2, no. 2
    • Sonata No. 3 in C Major, op. 2, no. 3 
    • Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, op. 7
    • Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, op. 10, no. 1
    • Sonata No. 6 in F Major, op. 10, no. 2
    • Sonata No. 7 in D Major, op. 10, no. 3
    • Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, op. 13 ("Pathetique")
    • Sonata No. 9 in E Major, op. 14, no. 1
    • Sonata No. 10 in G Major, op. 14, no. 2
    • Sonata No. 11 in B-flat Major, op. 22
    • Sonata No. 12 in A-flat Major, op. 26
• one work written by a living composer
• one substantial work of at least 14 minutes. This requirement can be fulfilled by one of the requirements above. The remainder of the program may be chosen by the pianist. Repertoire from the Preliminary Round may not be repeated.

PHASE II: Each pianist will perform the concerto movement submitted for the Final Round with piano accompaniment. The Cliburn will provide a collaborative pianist.

Final Round (6 competitors)

Each pianist will perform one concerto movement with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maurice Cohn, selected from the following list:

• BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, op. 15 (I)
• BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, op. 19 (I)
• BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, op. 37 (I)
• BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, op. 58 (I) 
• CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, op. 21 (I)
• GRIEG Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 16 (I)
• MOZART Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-Flat Major, K. 271 (I)
• MOZART Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-Flat Major, K. 271 (III)
• MOZART Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466 (I)
• MOZART Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467 (I)
• MOZART Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488 (I)
• MOZART Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503 (I)
• PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 16 (I)
• PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 16 (IV)
• PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26 (I)
• PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26 (III)
• RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, op. 18 (I)
• RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, op. 18 (III)
• SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 22 (I)
• SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 54 (I)
• SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 54 (III)

RULES RELATING TO REPERTOIRE

1. Total performance times include applause and pauses, and will be strictly enforced. The jury retains the right to stop a performance if the pianist exceeds the allotted time.
2. All works must be performed in their entirety. Separate movements of larger works will be accepted but must be performed in their entirety. Repeats are at the discretion of the pianist.
3. If requested, the pianist must supply a copy of the edition of the score used in preparation of each work performed to the jury.
4. Changes in submitted repertoire or running order may be made only with permission of the Cliburn. No changes will be accepted after February 23, 2027. Any proposed changes must include timings.