The Cliburn, which hosts the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth (sometimes called the Olympics for instruments), has announced a long-term partnership with SMU for a major youth piano competition.

The Cliburn announced a 20-year commitment with SMU and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for the next five editions of the Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists (formerly the Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival). While the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition has been held in Fort Worth for much longer, the Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists was established in 2015. The most recent youth event in 2023 drew 247 applications from 44 countries.

The next event, consisting of a fellowship on the SMU campus with masterclasses, workshops, artist conversations, and performance opportunities, will be June 10 to 19, 2027.

“As the Cliburn continues to encourage the futures of the amazing young artists who participate in the Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists, we must also invest in the future of the communities that make events like this possible,” said Jacques Marquis, president and CEO of the Cliburn. “By cementing the partnership with SMU and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra — true pillars of the Dallas artistic community — for the next 20 years, we are telling the people of Dallas that the Cliburn is here, and that we are committed to the development of the next generation of great artists.”

Applications will be open for talented pianists between 13 and 17 years of age to participate in the youth competition until Nov. 17. The Cliburn will invite 38 artists to participate as Piano Fellows. From that group, 24 pianists will be chosen to compete for prizes. For more details and to apply, click here.

The competition’s preliminary and semifinal rounds, as well as fellowship program events, will all be hosted on the SMU campus.

For the final round of the competition, six young pianists will perform one concerto movement with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, conducted by Maurice Cohn, music director of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and former assistant conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Chinese pianist Sa Chen, a 2005 Cliburn bronze medalist, will serve as jury chair for the 2027 competition.