Finding a New Family Tradition

Anyone who has spent more than a few hours in Fort Worth has likely heard the name Van Cliburn.

Cliburn was Fort Worth’s very own famous pianist who won the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, was on the cover on Time magazine, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and was the recipient of many, many more accolades. He was a global icon, a national treasure, and a great humanitarian who cared very deeply about reaching as many people as possible with classical music.

The Cliburn — which was started in his honor by Fort Worth volunteers in 1962 — takes great pride in being the organization to carry on his great legacy. In addition to producing the world-famous Van Cliburn International Piano Competition every four years, it shares classical music with people here in Fort Worth through all kinds of concert programs.

For the youngest Cowtown residents, it created Cliburn in the Classroom more than 20 years ago; a piano, hosts, and pianists travel to schools all over the Metroplex to introduce kids to classical music. The program continues to grow and improve — now reaching 60,000 students per year, it just won D CEO Magazine’s Innovation in Education award.

And now the Cliburn launches Cliburn Family Concerts. Partnering with several other Fort Worth institutions — the Fort Worth Zoo, the Fort Worth Stockyards, and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History — the new series will bring families together to enjoy classical music and create new traditions.

The Cliburn Family Concerts will kick off this Saturday, September 14, at the Fort Worth Zoo with, appropriately, The Carnival of the Animals. Two pianos, a flute, a clarinet, and strings — all masterfully handled by playful musicians impersonating the animal kingdom — will bring the music to life with the help of the  Zoo’s Animal Ambassadors. With two show times, 11am and 2pm, this performance at the Fort Worth Zoo’s Outdoor Learning Theater promises to be a huge hit.

Next on the list of Cliburn Family Concerts is The Polar Express! Held in the Fort Worth Stockyards, this retelling of Chris Van Allsburg’s classic Christmas book will be unlike any you’ve ever seen. Thrilling narration and dynamic illustrations, accompanied by magical musical interludes, transport the audience to the North Pole in this one-of-a-kind performance. With shows on November 29 at 10:30am and 2:30pm, and a show on December 1 at 2:30pm, The Polar Express as re-envisioned by the Cliburn will Likely become a new holiday tradition for Fort Worth families.

Finally, the Cliburn has partnered with the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History to bring you Voyager — a musical journey through the Milky Way. A narrator leads the audience on a spectacular trip across our solar system, while our senses are dazzled by beautiful images and glorious music. Cliburn musicians lead the way on piano, violin, and cello performing songs that explore and celebrate the wonder of space. Held in the OMNI Theatre next February 22^nd at 6 pm and February 23^rd at 11 am, Voyager will assuredly leave audiences enchanted.

The Cliburn has worked for years to make classical music more accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, to take the mystery out of it, to present it as something for everyone. Try something new with your family this year—you may just find inspiration, joy, and a new family tradition.

For tickets to The Carnival of the Animals (which includes Zoo admission), click here.