In Wednesday’s (3/20) Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas), Tim Madigan writes, “The Cliburn Foundation had planned an international search for its new leader, someone who could put an end to a long period of turmoil and turnover. As it turns out, the search wasn’t necessary. On Tuesday, the Cliburn board voted to promote the interim executive director, Jacques Marquis, to the roles of president and chief executive of the foundation, parent to the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Marquis inherited Cliburn leadership last November, after the abrupt resignation of Alann Sampson. In the five months since, the 48-year-old French Canadian had won raves with his musical knowledge, administrative ability and general good nature. … Marquis came to the Cliburn last September as a consultant, and was immediately considered a candidate to succeed Sampson. … When Sampson resigned, international screening auditions for the competition were only two months away. The auditions that began in Hong Kong in January and ended in Fort Worth six weeks later went off without a hitch, leading to the selection of 30 young musicians for what is considered one of the world’s leading piano competitions. As the auditions continued, and Marquis began to put his imprint on the foundation, it became apparent to many that the Cliburn already had the right person.”
Posted March 21, 2013
