Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO), with Music Director Robert Spano at the helm, has been a cornerstone of cultural and artistic expression in Fort Worth since its inception in 1912. The FWSO is renowned for its dedication to uniting the community through music, offering over 120 performances, educational initiatives, and outreach concerts annually, and reaching an audience of more than 150,000 people each year. Throughout its history, the FWSO has been integral to the cultural landscape of Fort Worth, contributing significantly to the city's reputation as a center for the performing arts. The orchestra has graced prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, showcasing its talent in events like SHIFT: A Festival of American Orchestras. Their discography includes 13 recordings, with several featuring world premiere releases that have received international recognition. The FWSO is known for its innovative spirit, engaging in creative collaborations through residencies, partnerships, and commissions that enrich the cultural offerings of the city. As the principal resident company of the acoustically renowned Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall, the FWSO presents a full season of concerts that include performances by internationally acclaimed guest artists and a focus on works by living composers. In addition to its concert series, the FWSO collaborates with various local arts organizations, including the Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Opera, The Cliburn, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Dallas Black Dance Theater, The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, and Performing Arts Fort Worth. These partnerships underscore the orchestra's role in fostering a vibrant and diverse arts community in Fort Worth. The mission of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra is threefold: to perform great symphonic music at the highest level of artistic excellence, to educate and entertain thereby enhancing the cultural life of the community, to present engaging music education programs for young people to foster early interest in and inspire lifelong enjoyment of music, and to achieve ever-greater levels of artistic accomplishment and leadership both in Fort Worth and nationally. The FWSO is supported by a dedicated Board of Directors, an administrative team, and the talented musicians who bring each orchestral work to life. Together, they ensure that the FWSO remains a beacon of musical excellence and a source of pride for the community it serves.