The Cliburn Announces New Cliburn International Competition for Conductors

Today, the Cliburn announces the launch of a major new program: the Cliburn International Competition for Conductors, open to 21- to 35-year-old conductors. Taking place in June 2028 in Houston, Texas, in partnership with the Houston Symphony and the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, it will be the first major international conducting competition in North America. Marin Alsop, one of the foremost artists of our time and conductor of the 2022 and 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competitions, will serve as Jury Chair, and the Houston Symphony will perform with all competitors. 

An esteemed Artistic Advisory Committee will consult on rounds, repertoire, and ways to support young conductors, and includes Alsop, Miguel Harth-Bedoya (Distinguished Resident Director of Orchestras and Professor of Conducting at the Shepherd School), Kent Nagano, Robert Spano, Juraj Valčuha (Music Director of the Houston Symphony), and Xian Zhang.

“Conductors are among the most pivotal figures in classical music and need opportunities to showcase their artistry. For more than 60 years, the Cliburn has focused on discovering exceptional young artists, launching their careers, and bringing classical music to the widest international audience possible. We are uniquely positioned to leverage our experience and reach to launch the first major conducting competition in North America,” said Jacques Marquis, President and CEO of the Cliburn. “Van Cliburn made his orchestra debut with the Houston Symphony at age 12 and later went on to conduct some of the world’s top orchestras himself, so this is a natural continuation of the Cliburn’s mission. We are delighted to come full circle and share his vision of excellence and love of music with the great city of Houston. The future of the arts and the ability to do great things rests on collaborations, and the Cliburn is thrilled to be working alongside the Houston Symphony and its fantastic musicians, and to partner with the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University to host. Inspired by Van’s legacy and Marin Alsop’s vision, we look forward to welcoming the world’s top young conductors to Texas in 2028.”

Applications for the Cliburn Conducting Competition, as well as full schedule, rules, rounds, and requirements, will be available in October 2026 and due in November 2027. A screening jury will review online applications and video submissions, selecting up to 25 applicants for a live audition in early 2028 at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. Twelve competitors will then be invited to compete in June 2028. The competition itself will take place at the Shepherd School of Music and Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, home of the Houston Symphony. All Competition Rounds will be open to the public; tickets will go on sale in early 2028.

One grand prize winner will receive a cash award of $50,000, concert opportunities, and bolstered publicity efforts. Finalists will each receive cash awards of $20,000.

The Cliburn builds on its already well-established digital presence—with video views topping 100 million in over 180 countries over the past four years—and will livestream all rounds to a passionate international audience.

“Conducting the Finals of the past two Van Cliburn International Piano Competitions and watching the medalists’ careers blossom has been deeply rewarding. Creating access and new opportunities for the next generations of gifted musicians is one of the most meaningful aspects of my work,” said Marin Alsop. “When I was invited to serve as Jury Chair for a new conducting competition modeled on the Cliburn’s piano competition, it felt like a natural next step in my partnership with this wonderful organization and one that strongly aligns with my mission to remove barriers and expand opportunities for emerging conductors.”

“It is an honor for the Houston Symphony to collaborate on bringing the new Cliburn International Competition for Conductors to Houston,” said Gary Ginstling, Houston Symphony Executive Director and CEO and holder of the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair. “Houston is a global hub with a thriving international community and is the perfect place for the Cliburn to launch this new initiative. The Houston Symphony’s artistry and flexibility make us the ideal symphony orchestra to help identify a new generation of conducting talent.”

“The Shepherd School is thrilled to join our partners in launching this major new conducting competition,” said Matthew Loden, the Lynette S. Autrey Dean of Music at the Shepherd School of Music. “From its earliest days, the Shepherd School has been deeply committed to training young conductors, who study with distinguished faculty such as the late Larry Rachleff and now Miguel Harth-Bedoya. We are eager to host conducting talent from around the world in 2028, and we’re proud to be part of launching this next generation of musical leadership.”

Through this new competition, the Cliburn, the Houston Symphony, the Shepherd School of Music, and Alsop demonstrate dedication to discovering the best young artists and to sharing music with the largest global audience possible. Building on the legacy of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition—described by The Guardian as “the instrument’s Olympics”— the Cliburn International Competition for Conductors will be a catalyst for launching significant worldwide careers for its winners.

The Cliburn’s four-year cycle now evolves to:

YEAR ONE–Non-Competition Year 
(focus on winners’ career management and other programs)

YEAR TWO–Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition
(for pianists age 13-17; June 2027)

YEAR THREE–Cliburn International Competition for Conductors
(for conductors age 21-35, June 2028)

YEAR FOUR–Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
(for pianists age 18-30, May/June 2029)

The Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition, inaugurated in 1999 to highlight the importance of music-making in everyday life, will be retired. The first event of its kind in the United States, the program has largely accomplished its mission of growing a thriving community of non-professional pianists.

Cliburn International Competition for Conductors Key Dates:

• October 2026: Applications open for the Cliburn International Competition for Conductors; rules, rounds, and requirements are announced
• November 2027: Applications due
• January 2028: Tickets on sale
• Winter 2028: Live screening round, hosted by the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, for up to 25 conductors
• April 2028: 12 competitors announced
• June 2028: Cliburn International Competition for Conductors takes place, with 12 invited competitors conducting the Houston Symphony