Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

History

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1925 by Brooks Morris, its first music director and conductor. Sixty-eight musicians performed at the first concert on December 11, 1925, before an audience of approximately 4,000 at the First Baptist Church auditorium. The FWSO disbanded from 1943-57 because of World War II. Morris provided leadership once it became active again and served as music director until 1962. Musical direction was then provided by Robert Hull, Rudolf Kruger, Ralph R. Guenther (1963–65), Ezra Rachlin (1965–72) and John Giordano (1972–2000). Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya joined the FWSO in 2000. Amy Adkins is the current president and CEO.

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra moved from Will Rogers Auditorium to the Fort Worth Convention Center Auditorium and then to its current home, the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall, in 1998. As the principal resident company, the FWSO performs a broad range of symphonic and pops concerts from August through May. In addition to its own concert series, the Orchestra also collaborates with the Fort Worth Opera, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Southwestern Seminary Master Chorale. and the Children’s Education Program of Bass Performance Hall.

Concerts In The Garden, the orchestra's summer music festival, was launched in 1991 and takes place each June - July at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

On SEPT. 9, 2016, the New York Times reported that the musicians of the orchestra went on strike.

Leadership

Its leadership as of 2011 includes:

Recordings

The orchestra's most recent recordings, some of which are released on their own label, include: