Every day on Art&Seek, we’re talking to people who have tips on art in this time of social distancing.  Share yours with us on Facebook, Instagram, or @artandseek on Twitter. Click above to hear Jacques Marquis, President and CEO of the Cliburn, share his tip with KERA’s Nilufer Arsala. 

Jacques Marquis, Cliburn President & CEO. Photo: Reverie Photo Co.

When it became clear in mid-March the Cliburn wasn’t going to be able to do their spring events –including their amateur competition — the group quickly jumped into action with digital offerings.

“We launched our Cliburn at Home initiative March 30,” said Cliburn CEO Jacques Marquis.

“Since then, people in more than 100 countries have watched over 25,000 hours of music. Now, we’re launching a new summer season, starting this week.”

The new line-up features weekly episodes of two series that music lovers of all stripes will enjoy.

Up first, is Cliburn Kids, fun musical breaks for elementary-aged children. Buddy Bray, Cliburn artistic advisor and co-author of the Cliburn in the Classroom, leads kids on entertaining and educational journeys exploring rhythm, storytelling, dance and listening games. The new season starts June 16, with new episodes every Tuesday at 11 a.m. through August 11.

Here’s the summer schedule for Cliburn Kids:

• June 16
  “Piano Gymnastics, Part 1”
  featuring CHOPIN “Black Key” Etude with Alex McDonald, piano
• June 23
  “Piano Gymnastics, Part 2”
  featuring DEBUSSY Etude for 8 Fingers with Nathan Ryland, piano
• June 30
  “Piano Gymnastics, Part 3”
  featuring PROKOFIEV Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, op. 83 (III) with Alex McDonald, piano
• July 7
  “Pictures You Can Hear, Part 4”
  featuring MUSSORGSKY “The Gnome” from Pictures at an Exhibition with Jonathan Tsay, piano
• July 14
  “Pictures You Can Hear, Part 5”
  featuring MUSSORGSKY “Ballet of Unhatched Chicks” from Pictures at an Exhibition with Jonathan Tsay, piano
• July 21
  “Pictures You Can Hear, Part 6”
  featuring MUSSORGSKY “The Great Gate of Kiev” from Pictures at an Exhibition with Gloria Lin, piano
• July 28
  “Pictures You Can Hear, Part 7”
  featuring MUSSORGSKY “Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuÿle” from Pictures at an Exhibition
• August 4
  “Counting Game”
  featuring COWELL A Blarneying Bit with Mehrdad Gholami, flute
• August 11
  “Lime Jello”
  featuring BOLCOM Lime Jello with Corrie Donovan, soprano

The Cliburn Watch Party returns June 18, with new episodes premiering every Thursday through Aug. 13. The online watching parties are an opportunity for people to come together with their favorite artists and enjoy past Cliburn performances. Best of all, each episode comes with a special message from the featured artist.

Here’s the summer Cliburn Watch Party line-up:

• June 18 (1 p.m.)
  Dasol Kim
  2017 Cliburn Competition jury discretionary award
• June 25 (1 p.m.)
  Eva Gevorgyan
  2019 Cliburn Junior Competition second-prize winner
  with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
  and conductor Ruth Reinhardt
• July 2 (8 p.m.)
  Steven Lin
  2013 Cliburn Competition jury discretionary award
• July 9 (1 p.m.)
  Alim Beisembayev (1st), Arsenii Mun (2nd), Youlan Ji (3rd)
  2015 Junior Competition Winners Recital Showcase
• July 16 (1 p.m.)
  Claire Huangci
  2013 Cliburn Competition jury discretionary award
• July 23 (8 p.m.)
  Shuan Hern Lee (1st), Eva Gevorgyan (2nd), JiWon Yang (3rd)
  2019 Junior Competition Winners Recital Showcase
• July 30 (8 p.m.)
  Tony Yike Yang
  2017 Cliburn Competition jury discretionary award
• August 6 (8 p.m.)
  Shuan Hern Lee
  2019 Cliburn Junior first-prize winner
  with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
  and conductor Ruth Reinhardt
• August 13 (1 p.m.)
  Leonardo Pierdomenico
  2017 Cliburn Competition jury discretionary award

All episodes of Cliburn Watch Party and Cliburn Kids can be found on the Cliburn’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

The Cliburn’s signature event, the 2021 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, will take place in May and June of next year.

Got a tip? Email Therese Powell at tpowell@kera.org. You can follow her on Twitter @TheresePowell13

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