When the doors of Bass Performance Hall open for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s first concert of their 2022-23 season this September, it will also mark the beginning of a new era for the 110-year-old organization. The new artistic vision, as FWSO President and CEO Keith Cerny describes it, is one that took months of discussion, planning, and strategizing with their newly-appointed Music Director Designate Robert Spano and members of the board, focusing on everything from programming to audience engagement.
WFAA'S SCOOP JEFFERSON REPORTS
Youngest bassoonist and guest conductor making history with Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Principal Guest Conductor Kevin John Edusei and Principal Bassoon Joshua Elmore speak with WFAA Reporter Scoop Jefferson on their careers with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
Press Conference Video
If you were unable to attend our in person event or view our live stream, you can watch the full announcement below.
FWSO Press Conference Jan. 12, 2022 from WFAA Production on Vimeo.
Press Conference at a Glance
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
In The News
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's New Vision
When the doors of Bass Performance Hall open for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s first concert of their 2022-23 season this September, it will also mark the beginning of a new era for the 110-year-old organization. The new artistic vision, as FWSO President and CEO Keith Cerny describes it, is one that took months of discussion, planning, and strategizing with their newly-appointed Music Director Designate Robert Spano and members of the board, focusing on everything from programming to audience engagement.
Arts & Culture Texas
January 12, 2022
Concerts in the Garden 2022 sprouts up on Fort Worth Symphony's new season
The Music of the Eagles has landed. After two years without Fort Worth's favorite outdoor music series, Concerts in the Garden is coming back this year. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra unveiled the hot summer lineup, along with the entire 2022-23 season, on Wednesday, January 12.
CultureMap Fort Worth
January 12, 2022
Fort Worth Symphony announces 2022-23 season with new music director Robert Spano
Spano is joining the orchestra after 20 years leading the Atlanta Symphony.
Dallas Morning News
January 12, 2022
Concerts in the Garden returns. Here is the lineup for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
Star-Telegram
January 12, 2022
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Names New Principal Guest Conductor
Musical America
December 07, 2021
Fort Worth Symphony names Kevin John Edusei its principal guest conductor
Of Ghanaian and German ancestry, the Munich-based conductor led the FWSO in September.
Dallas Morning News
December 07, 2021
Review: Guest conductor Anna Skryleva had the Fort Worth Symphony playing better than its Dallas counterpart
Dallas Morning News
October 30, 2021
Review: Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra returns to Bass Performance Hall with expressive Dvorak
Dallas Morning News
September 18, 2021
Black, Latin American Composers to Be Showcased at Fort Worth Symphony's Fourth of July Concert
Fort Worth Magazine
April 13, 2021
Fort Worth Symphony honors America with special Fourth of July concert
April 13, 2021
Art and the City
Classical music groups have weathered a difficult year. So how will they respond?
Dallas Morning News
March 30, 2021
Robert Spano to become Fort Worth Symphony’s music director in 2022
The Hub
League of American Orchestras
February 10, 2021
Fort Worth Symphony fills hottest job vacancy in town with new music director Robert Spano
CultureMap Fort Worth
February 9, 2021
The Fort Worth Symphony taps Robert Spano as its next music director
Dallas Morning News
February 9, 2021
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Names New Music Director
Fort Worth Magazine
February 9, 2021
Fort Worth Symphony names Spano as next Music Director
Fort Worth Business Press
February 9, 2021
Fort Worth has a new maestro! Conductor Robert Spano takes over orchestra this spring
Star-Telegram
February 9, 2021
Socially Distanced Sound
Amid the pandemic, some orchestras are experimenting with modified live concerts. With its smaller number of players, chamber music is ideally suited to the moment.
The Wall Street Journal
August 4, 2020
The Beat Goes On
With many in-person concerts on hold due to the pandemic, orchestras, pops presenters, and guest artists are adopting fresh approaches to pops by heading online, offering more intimate events, and following health protocols to keep the music going.
Read More: Symphony Magazine
Best of 2020: Critic's Choice Performing Arts Organization
Fort Worth’s performing arts groups deserve gold medals all around for their laudable work during challenging times.
Fort Worth Weekly
September 23, 2020
Behind the Scenes with the Symphony in the Time of COVID
To say things are different for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) this year would be quite the understatement. Certainly, there are musicians in masks, six-foot spacing between chairs, and a large transparent barrier between the wind instruments and the strings.
Fort Worth Magazine
October 15, 2020
Fort Worth Strong
“This is symbolically important for the orchestra and staff,” President and CEO Keith Cerny said. “It has been three months since the musicians have performed. This is a very inspiring moment because we love bringing music to the community.”
Fort Worth Weekly
July 2, 2020
A Sudden Venue Change for the FWSO
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra was notified by the company that manages Bass Hall that performances cannot happen this season at the iconic angel-clad building.
Performing Arts Fort Worth will extend the closure of Bass Performance Hall through at least the end of 2020.
KERA, Art & Seek
September 9, 2020
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Moves Fall Symphonic Series to Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium
During the coronavirus pandemic, improvisation is more than spontaneous musical activity. It is a necessity.
NBC DFW
October 5, 2020
Q&A: Conductor Nicole Paiement Talks About COVID-19's Impact on Live Performances
Between show cancelations, travel restrictions, and venues remaining closed, COVID-19 has been especially unkind to the arts. But some groups, like the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, have found a way to play again, slowly ramping up performances at Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium.
Fort Worth Magazine
November 11, 2020
Fort Worth Symphony Symphonic Series will feature guest conductor Cox
The FWSO marks its second Symphonic Series outing at Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium this weekend in a performance with guest conductor Roderick Cox.
Fort Worth Business Press
October 16, 2020
Conductor Roderick Cox wants to help fix classical music’s diversity problem
Cox makes his debut with the Fort Worth and Dallas symphony orchestras this month.
Dallas Morning News
October 15, 2020
The Fort Worth Symphony Opens Its Season This Weekend After Hurdling Several Challenges
The Fort Worth Symphony is kicked out of Bass Hall just before launching its new season. The FWSO will open its fall symphonic series at Will Rogers Auditorium this weekend.
Dallas Morning News
September 16, 2020
Swingy sister act brings fiddle fire to Asleep at the Wheel's Fort Worth Symphony show
For Texas fiddler and harmony vocalist Hulda Quebe, one-third of the acclaimed Western Swing trio The Quebe Sisters, getting a gig during a pandemic provides for a big dose of much-needed normalcy.
CultureMap Fort Worth
September 7, 2020
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra celebrates Fourth of July with ‘America Strong’ concert
The America Strong concert is going to feature guest artists from the Fort Worth Opera, The Cliburn and Texas Ballet Theater and a special appearance by Broadway star and Fort Worth native, Major Attaway.
Star-Telegram
June 30, 2020
Fort Worth Symphony Records “America Strong” Concert By Deborah Mashburn
Our concert was a great success, and it was thrilling to be able to make music again. Many people told me they were moved to tears while watching our concert on television. My hope is that management for other orchestras will work as diligently and creatively as ours to bring back live music to the concert hall, arena, church, school, or other venues this fall. - Deborah Mashburn
Percussive Arts Society
July 15, 2020
The Business of Music: Cerny takes lead as president, CEO of Symphony
Fort Worth Symphony President and CEO Keith Cerny brings wide experience to the new job
Fort Worth Business Press
November 13, 2019
A stunning Mahler Third Symphony from an augmented Fort Worth Symphony
Music director Miguel Harth-Bedoya led a dramatic, flawlessly timed performance, and the orchestra played gloriously.
Dallas Morning News
October 12, 2019
The final bow: Miguel Harth-Bedoya’s lasting legacy at the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
“My biggest joy is having created a workplace that is not a place for work,” Harth-Bedoya says. “[It’s about] making the Fort Worth Symphony a desirable place for every musician to come, rehearse and play every single day. The motivation and inspiration cannot be bought.”
Dallas Morning News
May 7, 2020
Harth-Bedoya Stepping Down but Staying Local
Miguel Harth‐Bedoya arrived in Fort Worth 20 years ago, taking over as music director role from John Giordano, who had been in that role for 28 years. He’s stepping down Aug. 1, becoming conductor laureate, which he says is more of an honorary title.
Fort Worth Business Press
July 12, 2020
Press Releases
January 12, 2022
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Announces 2022–2023 Season
Robert Spano’s Inaugural Season as Music Director
February 9, 2021
Robert Spano Appointed Music Director Designate
April 13, 2021
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra to Celebrate 245 Years of America in Patriotic Fourth of July Concert
March 2, 2021
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra to Hold Auditions for Six Vacant Positions
The orchestra rebounds from a tumultuous 2020 into a growth-oriented 2021
January 22, 2021
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Announces Change of Artists at the 2021 Gala Event Feb. 20th
World-renown Pianist Yuja Wang Will Substitute for Yo-Yo Ma
September 7, 2020
Bass Hall Management Decides to Extend Closure; Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s Fall Symphonic Series Moved to Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium
June 22, 2020
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Announces July 4th America Strong Concert
January 24, 2020
FWSO Announces 2020-2021 Season