PianoTexas, one of the world’s top summer piano festivals, is concluding another successful year in Fort Worth.

However, 2011 is special because it marks the 30th anniversary of PianoTexas International Academy and Festival.

PianoTexas has been hosted at TCU for the past 30 years, led by Founder and Executive Director Dr. Tamás Ungár of the TCU School of Music faculty.

PianoTexas started in 1981, when the TCU/Van Cliburn Piano Master Classes and Workshops were born during the sixth Van Cliburn Piano Competition. The venture benefited a group of serious piano students because the master classes were given by Cliburn competitors.

In 1990, it became an independent international music festival and workshop, and over the years it continued to grow. In 2006, it was renamed the PianoTexas International Academy and Festival.

“Today it is one of the most esteemed and significant international summer workshops and festivals for the most talented young, aspiring pianists of the world,” said Kristen Queen, PianoTexas administrative assistant.

This year the festival focuses on the piano repertoire of Ludwig van Beethoven, Queen said.

“There are many aspects of PianoTexas — literally world-renowned pianists performing right here in Fort Worth, some of today’s youngest and most promising young pianists performing with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and adult amateurs from all walks of life and countries,” Queen said.

PianoTexas will finish its festival schedule at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, with the Young Artists Concerto Concert in Ed Landreth Auditorium on the TCU campus.