“In all, the Gala raised a record-breaking $1,076,000 toward FWSO's Adventures in Music Program, which brings music into the lives of more than 20,000 students annually in North Texas."

- Stephanie Allmon Merry

Photo Credit: Jill Johnson

"Ohlsson had the expressive freedom that his interpretation needed to fully flourish without having to worry about staying with a less sensitive conductor. The orchestra was equally outstanding. They are better every time I hear them."

- Gregory Sullivan Isaacs

Photo credit: Karen Almond

“It is a pleasure to showcase the immense talents of our local florists as they partner with premier arts and cultural organizations to shine the spotlight on the significant work they do for our region."

- Nancy Nasher

Photo Credit: Tracy Autem Photography

"The Rite of Spring adds new layers of modernist dissonance and rhythmic asymmetry. Friday’s performance, at Bass Performance Hall, proved that, as Ezra Pound said of great literature, the Rite is news that stays news."

- Scott Cantrell

Photo credit: Karen Almond

"In the anticipation that precedes an innovative performance, there’s an electric charge in the air, a silent promise of something extraordinary. This is the atmosphere surrounding the upcoming rendition of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring this weekend by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO), conducted by Robert Spano and choreographed by Lauri Stallings, featuring her intersectionality-centered movement platform, glo.

The creative relationship of Stallings and Spano, a blend of passion, innovation, and deep-seated mutual respect, is set to manifest in a way that will reframe your mind regarding the boundaries of ballet and orchestral music."

- Mark Gresham

Photo Credit: glo

"The Ravel ‘Tombeau de Couperin’ and Mozart ‘Paris’ Symphony were highlights."

- Scott Cantrell

Photo credit: Karen Almond

"The level of playing in this orchestra continues to astound by its remarkable growth during my tenure in the Metroplex. The program was a challenging one, but they exceeded any expectations all evening."

- Gregory Sullivan Isaacs

Photo Credit: Karen Almond

Fort Worth Symphony celebrates new season with ovation-worthy evening

"The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra has a lovely tradition of opening each new season with an exhilarating concert followed by an elegant dinner that brings together the orchestra musicians and passionate patrons who keep the music playing.

Opening Night of the 2024/2025 Season recognized another vital part of FWSO's composition for success: the instruments played onstage. Specifically, one very special instrument on loan from a Fort Worth family."

- Stephanie Allmon Merry

Photo credit: Jill Johnson

"Led by Robert Spano, starting his third season as music director, every section of the orchestra played with pizzazz where called for, well-bred finesse everywhere."

- Scott Cantrell

Photo Credit: Randal Vanderveer

"Every move made to expand the symphony's reach has been purposeful, a consistent theme throughout Cerny's tenure." -Tori Couch

For senior and double bass player Ava Hoyt, it was exciting to work with a larger ensemble — including a four-person bass section.

“I’ve been watching the symphony and all their work since I was a little girl,” she said. “So it’s really nice to be able to work with people that you’ve been looking up to and almost see as celebrities.”

The number of Hispanic and Latino orchestra members across the country is low, but growing.

Over the summer, the League of American Orchestras released a study of 156 orchestras that showed growth in the number of Hispanic and Latino musicians: 4.8% today, up from 2.5% during the 2013-14 season.

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra is just one group working to address diversity both within its ranks and in its audiences.