Concert hall of new Music Center to be named for late Van Cliburn

By Taylor Boser

Published Nov 12, 2018

This is the goal for the TCU School of Music Concert Hall.

The concert hall of the TCU Music Center currently under construction will be named for late Van Cliburn, the concert pianist who skyrocketed to fame at 23 when he won the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow in 1958.

The $10 million donation total from donors close to Cliburn is supporting the naming, according to the university.

FILE – This March 2, 2011 file photo shows President Barack Obama presenting a 2010 National Medal of Arts to pianist Van Cliburn during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Cliburn, the internationally celebrated pianist whose triumph at a 1958 Moscow competition helped thaw the Cold War and launched a spectacular career that made him the rare classical musician to enjoy rock star status died early Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at his Fort Worth home following a battle with bone cancer. He was 78. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, file)

“We are grateful to this group of donors for this historic gift to the School of Music to honor Van Cliburn and ensure the success of this important project,” said Chancellor Victor Boschini.

The $53 million concert hall is set to open in fall 2020.

With seating for around 700, the hall is designed acoustically as a grand concert hall to mirror the sound of much larger venues.

Fort Worth residents David and Dana Porter led the fundraising efforts.

“Dana and I are delighted to be part of the effort to name TCU’s new concert hall after Van Cliburn,” said David.

The hall will include a museum showcasing Cliburn’s life and music.