BEFRIEND THE BEST PIANISTS IN THE WORLD Every four years the world’s best 18- to 30-year-old pianists gather in Fort Worth to compete in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. During the three weeks of Competition, the pianists are largely away from their friends and family and need support, a friendly face, and someone close to their age to show them around our great city. That’s why the Cliburn needs Social Hosts, dedicated volunteers in their 20s and 30s who are willing to donate their to time to assist Host Families with transportation, attend their competitors’ performances, and host social outings when appropriate. Become a Social Host and establish lifelong friendships with some of the most talented musicians in the world, and become a part of a 60-year legacy of showcasing Fort Worth to the world. COMPETITION OVERVIEW Hailed as “one of the most prestigious contests in classical music” by The New York Times, the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition exists to share excellent classical music with the largest international audience possible and to launch the careers of its winners every four years. Building on a rich tradition that began with its 1962 origins in honor of Van Cliburn and his vision for using music to serve audiences and break down boundaries, the Cliburn seeks, with each edition, to achieve the highest artistic standards and reach new audiences around the globe. The 2022 Competition became one of the most watched classical music events in history and launched the career of Yunchan Lim, whose rise to stardom has been meteoric. In his first two seasons as a Cliburn winner, concert engagements included New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic, Concertgebouw, Carnegie Hall, and Wigmore Hall (most quickly sold out.) Beyond cash prizes, winning a Cliburn medal means comprehensive career management, artistic support, and bolstered publicity efforts for the three years following. IMPORTANT DATES April 23, 2025 – Competitor Match Party May 16–17, 2025 – Competitors Arrive May 19, 2025 – Opening Dinner & Draw Party May 21, 2025 – Competition Begins June 7, 2025 – Competition Ends; Awards Ceremony and Closing Party June 8, 2025 – Competitors Depart RESPONSIBILITIES All responsibilities are performed in coordination with your competitors and their Host Families. Responsibilities are flexible with your competitors’ schedules as the Competition advances. • PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION (to/from rehearsals, performances, or other events) • ATTEND YOUR COMPETITORS’ PERFORMANCES • ATTEND COMPETITION SOCIAL EVENTS • PLAN SOCIAL OUTINGS WITH YOUR COMPETITOR