Sigma Alpha Iota

The world's musician service. Among them were a governor, a former president, and hundreds of friends and admirers. In a statement read at the service, President Barack Obama called him "one of the most talented pianists of the last century and a musical artist of rare distinction." "Van traveled the world, charming friend and foe," former President George W. Bush said. "Members of the President's Club could have taken a lesson from him in diplomacy." "Van taught us an important lesson we all could learn," Texas Governor Rick Perry said. "We all, deep down, are more alike than we are different. Van was one of the true heroes of the Cold War ... Texas lost a true legend in his passing, and he will never be forgotten." Russian cellist Olga Rostropovich read a statement from President Putin. "Over the course of many years, during the most difficult of historical times, the art of Van Cliburn brought together people from different countries, different continents, and united them," Putin wrote. "He brought the light of kindness, fairness and faith in the power of art ...We shall always remember Van Cliburn as a true and sincere friend of the Russian people. His artistic journey was closely connected to our country." Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev embraces Van Cliburn after Van Cliburn won the 1958 Tchaikovsky Competition. National Arts Associate James Dick, Founder and Artistic Director of the Round Top Festival Institute, recently corresponded with SAI National Headquarters and related his own celebration of Cliburn. "Not too long ago I wrote a farewell letter to the late and great Van Cliburn," Dick said. "I wrote Van that he had been a 'trailblazer.' His wonderful success in Moscow gave all young men and women everywhere courage that they, too, could one day become a professional artists. That courage opened up an entirely new world, all across America. And I concluded that letter … 'Dear Van, when I count my blessings, I will always count you twice!' " At the conclusion of that ticker-tape parade 55 years before, as he arrived in Carnegie Hall to a hero's welcome, Cliburn said: "I appreciate more than you will ever know that you are honoring me, but the thing that thrills me the most is that you are honoring classical music. Because I'm only one of many. I'm only a witness and a messenger. Because I believe so much in the beauty, the construction, the architecture invisible, the importance for all generations, for young people to come that it will help their minds, develop their attitudes and give them values. That is why I'm so grateful that you have honored me in that spirit." The Van Cliburn Foundation and International Piano Competition T he Fort Worth-based Van Cliburn Foundation, was instituted by a dedicated group of music educators in 1962 and recently celebrated its fiftieth year. With the cornerstone of the Foundation being the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, it continues as a living legacy to Mr. Cliburn's constant efforts to aid the development of young artists around the world. First held in 1962, the quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano Competition quickly established itself as an event that inspires and engages the local community, while gracing the international stage. The Cliburn Competition is one of the few musical events in the world to arrange for competitors to stay with host families, often resulting in close, long-term relationships: this has resulted in southern hospitality becoming a singular trademark of the Cliburn Competition. In addition to receiving significant cash prizes — the first prize cash award has been raised to $50,000 for the 2013 Competition — the winners of each competition are awarded three years of career management and artist services, including the booking of national tours for all six finalists and international engagements for the gold medalist, in conjunction with IMG Artists. The six 2009 finalists have traveled the globe, collectively performing over 400 engagements during the three years following the Competition. The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is the most visible expression of the Foundation's commitment to classical music, and through the support of major corporations, foundations, and sponsors, significant media projects have been produced to further the Cliburn's scope and reach. These include the national and international distribution of CDs and DVDs, and the broadcast of prizewinning performances on syndicated radio programs across the country. Additionally, the Foundation has produced nine documentaries that have aired nationally on PBS since the 1977 Competition and have garnered acclaim and numerous awards, including an Emmy and a Peabody. The Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter of SAI has worked behind the scenes of the competition for many years. The following segment is from the 2009 PAN PIPES For the past twenty years, Louise Canafax, a member of the Ft. Worth Alumnae Chapter, has served as the "backstage mother" for all of the competitors in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.  The first three days of the event are spent giving each competitor time to select a piano. They come to the Bass Hall where there are 3 9-ft Steinways, and each artist has 30 minutes to "caress the ivories" and decide which piano they want to play in the preliminaries.   Louise measures each piano bench (there are 4), and determines the exact height preference for each competitor's comfort.  The stage crew (wearing white gloves) will have the piano of choice onstage for each. This means that when they walk out to perform, they can concentrate on performing.   Over 150 pianists were invited to audition this year, and the playing field was narrowed to 29 who were asked to be in the competition.  This was the thirteenth Van Cliburn competition; it takes four years to put one of these together. Louise feels like she has been the adopted mother for hundreds of musical marvels.  Her friendships continue for years — for example, with Olga Kern, who was the gold medalist in 2001, and was then initiated as an Honorary Member by the Ft. Worth Alumnae chapter in 2002.   Louise says, "Each of these youngsters is so gifted, and this experience changes their lives forever.  I know it has changed mine!" sai-national.org SPRING 2013 PAN PIPES 15

• Cover