Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) is one of two international calibre orchestra sin the 7.6 million strong Dallas-fort Worth Metroplex. The FWSO entered a new area in 2019 when renowned board chairman Mrs Mercedes T. Bass hired performing arts industry veteran Keith Cerny PH.D. as president and CEO. Since then, the organisation has begun a period of sustained growth in artistic quality and operational excellence.
Each season, the FWSO presents 200 concerts per year, reaching around 200,000 patrons, through its main Symphonic and Pops series, its extensive education programme to underserved students, and its summer festival, Concerts in the Garden. In September 2020, it was one of the first US orchestras to resume live performances during the pandemic by a socially distanced orchestra to socially distanced audiences. Financially, the FWSO has remained very strong through the first two COVID-19 years. Thanks to intensive fund-raising and generous government support, the FWSO achieved essentially balanced budgets across these two years, continuing to pay musicians and staff in full – one of the few US orchestras to do so.
Artistic Excellence
In February 2021, the FWSO appointed acclaimed American conductor Robert Spano as music director and, following his appointment, hired ten tenure track musicians. It has collaborated through this process with the Sphinx organisation, which provides coaching and support to talented Black and Latinx artists aspiring to have a successful performing career. In December 2021, the FWSO appointed the German Kevin John
Edusei as principal guest conductor, following his highly successful debut in September 2021. He brings an impressive network of contacts and deep experience from his performances in the UK, Germany and elsewhere in Europe. The FWSO has also engaged distinguished guest conductors including Henrik Nánási, Dame Jane Glover, Carlo Montanaro and Edo de Waart.
Creativity and Collaboration
Maestro Spano and Dr. Cerny announced a bold new artistic vision including ‘theater of a concert’ projects which incorporate additional elements such as dance, projections, video and puppetry into live symphonic performances; performances with extraordinary opera and oratorio singers; an ambitious chamber music series; regular world premieres; and international guest conductors and soloists. It has also expanded its artistic partnerships, which now include the Kimbell Art Museum, Cliburn International Piano Competition, Seraphic Fire and many others. While much has changed about the FWSO in recent years, it remains deeply committed to engaging young people to foster an interest and lifelong enjoyment. After all, life is better with music!