Texas Christian University’s School of Music will officially open its state-of-the-art Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU in April. The concert hall is part of the new $53 million TCU Music Center that provides more than 7,500 square feet of rehearsal space and learning resources for TCU’s band, orchestra and percussion programs and will further open TCU’s doors to fine arts audiences.
Named for award-winning pianist and international icon, Van Cliburn, the 717-seat Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU has an acoustical volume similar to venues that have double to triple the seating capacity. The impressive, yet intimate concert hall offers a sensory and design experience reminiscent of other well-known venues such as Fort Worth’s Bass Performance Hall and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.
“The Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU is a world-class performance venue that will benefit our students and the community now and for generations to come,” said Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. “We are extremely proud to open this beautiful on-campus space that honors the life and legacy of Van Cliburn, enhances our students’ academic experience and provides yet another outstanding venue for the renowned Fort Worth culture and arts community.”
The TCU Music Center partially opened in fall 2020. The center and its Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU were built as part of TCU’s Vision in Action: Lead On strategic plan to support the nationally renowned School of Music. In addition to hosting TCU music performances, the concert hall will host events featuring other arts organizations. The Cliburn will hold its preliminary and quarterfinal round concerts of the 16th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at the Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU in June 2022, marking the hall’s first external event.
The opening will be celebrated with a month of events in April, including the TCU Symphony Orchestra with The Cliburn and pianist Olga Kern (April 13) and with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (April 14). The first public performance in the Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU (April 8) will feature the TCU Frog Corps, one of the university’s male vocal ensembles and spirit groups.
“We are excited for TCU's talented students and faculty, professional musicians and other arts organizations to take the stage in the Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU,” said Richard C. Gipson, dean of the TCU College of Fine Arts. “This venue will enable the TCU community and our neighbors and guests from all over the world to experience live music performances in an unparalleled acoustical environment.”
Located on the east side of campus, the TCU Music Center joins the Fine Arts Building, Mary Couts Burnett Library, J.M. Moudy Visual Arts and Communication Building and Rees-Jones Hall to form the Creative Commons, a green space designed for outdoor performances, events and campus gatherings.
Read more from the TCU School of Music.