In Wednesday’s (10/2) Musical America, Susan Elliott writes, “In a textbook example of ‘maximizing the brand,’ the Cliburn has established a new ‘boutique’ artist management, sporting an initial roster of six, none of whom has ever won the storied competition. Though it operates under the umbrella moniker, the Cliburn Agency is separate and apart from the Cliburn Foundation that supports the competitions and recital series. The latter is a non-profit entity; the Agency, like others in the industry, is a strictly commercial enterprise. Its profits will help support the Foundation, while the Foundation’s expertise, contacts, and experience will feed into the Agency. The Cliburn isn’t the first non-profit overseer of commercial artist managements—San Francisco Conservatory of Music own Opus 3 and Askonas-Holt. The initial Cliburn Agency roster includes the Anderson & Roe Piano Duo; pianists Peter Dugan, Fei-Pei, and Clayton Stephenson; and harpist Bridget Kibbey…. Cliburn competition winners will continue to receive management, bookings, career advice, etc., for three years from the Foundation. When that time is up, the idea is for them to move on to the next career milestone.”
