Attention, all you amateur pianists -- age 35 or older and Web-savvy, that is. The Van Cliburn Foundation announced today the first Cliburn YouTube Contest, welcoming cyber-video entries of 5-10 minutes in length. The videos will be judged by online viewers and the winner will be entered, application fee-free, in the 2011 International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs.

The quadrennial Cliburn amateur competition was founded in 1999 in Fort Worth, providing an interesting sideline to the high-profile professional competition that was begun there by celebrated pianist Van Cliburn in 1962. Competing amateurs vie for a relatively modest first prize of $2,000, but a lot of priceless publicity and personal satisfaction.

This new YouTube contest is open to pianists who are at least 35 years old and do not earn any significant income from performance, piano teaching or composition. Final day for uploading on the Cliburn Foundation's YouTube channel is April 30. Anyone wanting to vote on the pianists will have to register first to receive a ballot; voting will close May 15. 

For more information: http://www.cliburn.org/index.php?page=youtube_competition