Cliburn International Competition for Conductors
for conductors age 21 to 35 • JUNE 2028 • HOUSTON, TEXAS USA
Shepherd School of Music at Rice University & Jones Hall for the Performing Arts
Marin Alsop, jury chair
The Cliburn International Competition for Conductors in June 2028 will be the first major international conducting competition in North America. The new event represents another major expansion for the Cliburn’s almost 65-year-old history: the creation of a new top-level contest as well as the production of its first large-scale project in Houston, Texas. Over two weeks, emerging maestros will have the opportunity to lead one of the world’s premier orchestras, sharing their talents on a global stage via an international webcast. Through significant partnerships with the Houston Symphony and Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, the Cliburn will welcome 12 competitors to the fourth-largest city in the United States to compete for a grand prize of $50,000, concert opportunities, and the chance to become the first winner of the Cliburn International Competition for Conductors.
Marin Alsop, jury chair
Marin Alsop has conducted the Final Rounds of the past two Van Cliburn International Piano Competitions and spent her illustrious career creating access and new opportunities for the next generations of gifted musicians. Serving as Jury Chair for the inaugural Competition for Conductors is a natural next step in her partnership with the Cliburn, as she lends more than 30 years of expertise to this new venture.
The remainder of the jury will be announced later in 2026.
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Houston Symphony
Learn More about the Houston SymphonyThe Grammy® Award-winning Houston Symphony continues to inspire and engage diverse audiences in Houston and beyond with exceptional musical performances and enduring community impact. Founded in 1913, it now in its second century as one of America’s premier orchestras. Its artistry and flexibility make it the ideal symphony orchestra to help identify a new generation of conducting talent.
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Shepherd School of Music at Rice University
Learn More about the Shepherd SchoolOver the last four decades the Shepherd School has become a leading international music school, deeply committed to training young conductors. They will host conducting talent from around the world in 2028 for both the live auditions and early rounds of the Competition.
Marin Alsop
Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, Polish National Radio Symphony
Principal Guest Conductor, Philharmonia Orchestra
Principal Guest Conductor, The Philadelphia Orchestra
Chief Conductor, Ravinia Festival
Miguel Harth-Bedoya
Distinguished Director of Orchestras and Professor Of Conducting, Shepherd School of Music at Rice University
Music Director Laureate, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Director and Faculty, The Conducting Institute
Kent Nagano
Honorary Conductor, Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Conductor Laureate, Deutsche Symphonie Orchester Berlin
Honorary Conductor, Concerto Köln
Chief Conductor and Artistic Director, Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España (from September 2026)
Principal Artistic Partner, Filarmonica Toscanini
Robert Spano
Music Director, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Music Director, Washington National Opera
Music Director, Aspen Music Festival and School
Music Director Laureate, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Principal Guest Conductor, Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School
Juraj Valčuha
Music Director, Houston Symphony
Music Director, Teatro di San Carlo Naples
First Guest Conductor, Konzerthausorchester Berlin
Xian Zhang
Music Director, New Jersey Symphony
Music Director Designate, Seattle Symphony
Conductor Emeritus, Orchestra Sinfonica de Milano
Van Cliburn, our inspiration
Van Cliburn made it his life’s mission to share classical music with the largest audience possible, and the Cliburn has dedicated itself to this mission for the last 64 years. The Cliburn is uniquely positioned to leverage its experience and reach to launch the first major conducting competition in North America. Van Cliburn made his orchestral debut with the Houston Symphony at age 12 and later went on to conduct the New York Philharmonic, the Dallas Symphony, and Philadelphia Orchestras. The Cliburn is delighted to come full circle and share his vision of excellence and love of music with the great city of Houston.