FWSO 18 19 Seasonreview FINAL
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fwso18/19 Year in Review MIGUEL HARTH-BEDOYA, MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT SPANO, PRINCIPAL GUEST CONDUCTOR KEITH CERNY, Ph.D., PRESIDENT AND CEO Chairman of the Board Mercedes T. Bass The Mission of the Dear Patrons and Supporters of the FWSO, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra is: It is my great honor to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and I am thrilled to have the privilege of leading this magnificent organization that is very close to my heart. Under the dynamic leadership of our Music Director, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, the FWSO has become one of Fort Worth’s cultural treasures bringing the joy of music to audiences of nearly 200,000 this year. Since Miguel’s arrival nearly two decades ago, the FWSO has been transformed into one of the finest ensembles in the country. Our brilliant musicians never cease to amaze me with their infinite talent and their never-ending To perform great symphonic music at the highest pursuit of musical excellence. We are truly fortunate that level of artistic excellence to educate, entertain, our city is home to such an incredible orchestra. and enhance cultural life. With this season also came the appointment of the FWSO’s new President and CEO, Keith Cerny, Ph.D. Dr. Cerny comes to the FWSO with a wealth of experience, and is a proven leader. We all look forward to this To present engaging music education new chapter under Dr. Cerny’s leadership. programs for young people to foster early interest in and inspire lifelong enjoyment of music. I want to thank you all for the overwhelming generosity you have bestowed upon this organization. Your loyal support reflects a huge commitment to our orchestra which is thriving and growing. I look forward to sharing many exciting seasons of world-class music with you as we all join together under the leadership of To achieve ever-greater levels of artistic our new President and CEO, Keith Cerny and his entire team. accomplishment and leadership in Fort Worth and across the nation. Despite our humble beginnings, there is one truth that has remained unchanged throughout our history— it takes the combined support of many to sustain a great orchestra for our community. Thank you for playing a significant part in both our inspiring past and our promising future! Warmest regards, Mercedes T. Bass Chairman of the Board of Directors 1 President and CEO Keith Cerny Dear Friends, Since joining the FWSO in January of the 2018-19 season, I have worked with the Board, staff, and musicians to develop a new strategy for the orchestra. We’ve focused on driving financial and operational efficiency while maximizing FWSO’s artistic and community impact in Fort Worth and neighboring areas. These changes have enabled us to elevate our artistic product, while also improving our efficiency and strengthening our financial performance. This strategy, which is intended to strengthen FWSO’s financial position, will continue to be implemented in future seasons, with the new strategy taking full effect in 2020-21. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will soon approach an exciting artistic transition in its long and successful history. The upcoming season will mark twenty distinguished years of Miguel Harth-Bedoya’s tenure as music director, after which he will transition to Music Director Laureate in June 2020. The future is bright at the FWSO, and I am delighted to be a part of its progress. The exceptional artistry of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra would not be possible without each of our loyal patrons, and we are grateful for your support as we continue to extend the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s musical contributions to our devoted community and beyond. Thank you! Sincerely, Keith Cerny, Ph.D. President and CEO 2 2018/2019 Nearly 200,000 attendees experienced concerts at Bass Performance Hall, the Fort Season Highlights Worth Botanic Gardens, in local schools, and 200,000 in community centers throughout North Texas. SYMPHONIC SERIES, GALA, AND FESTIVAL • August 2018 saw a three- • Peruvian composer Jimmy No. 5. Sunday afternoon’s concert tribute to Leonard Lopez’s Symphony performance was dedicated to Bernstein on his 100th birthday, No. 1 began the orchestra’s 2019 the late Laura Bruton, FWSO featuring his wide range of Season in the concert hall with Principal Violist for 34 years. symphonic works, award-winning the performance recorded for his film and Broadway scores, and commercial album, Symphonic • Violinist Robert McDuffie his unique jazz compositions for Canvas, released in August of and Composer/Guitarist Mike orchestra. that year. Mills combined classic rock with Vivaldi in Mills’ Concerto for • An all-Tchaikovsky program • Robert Spano was announced Violin, Rock Band, and String opened the season including as Principal Guest Conductor in Orchestra at the 2019 Gala. violinist James Ehnes performing March, ahead of his emotional the Violin Concerto in D Major performances of Richard and a finale of the passionate Strauss’ Four Last Songs and Symphony No. 6, “Pathetique.” Gustav Mahler’s Symphony POPS AND SPECIALS FAMILY SERIES Superheroes, Harry Potter, • Mariachi Los Camperos and Jurassic Parts played with the symphony for the first time to enthusiastic The inaugural Family Series audiences conducted by was a great success! Miguel Harth-Bedoya. Fort Worth families enjoyed • The Symphony performed two sold out magical the iconic soundtrack by performances of the “Music John Willams live with the film of Harry Potter,” dressed up Jurassic Park. as their favorite superheroes for “Superhero Soundtrack, • The sold-out January 5th Jr.,” and traveled back to pre- Special with the popular boy- historic times for the creative band HANSON featured a “Jurassic Parts” program. mix of radio favorites and new Mariachi Los Camperos works composed for the band and orchestra. 4 5 Bernstein Festival Review “In a compact intermission-less concert, Audiences FWSO music director Miguel Harth- Bedoya got genuinely compelling performances, start to finish. The orchestra sounded fabulous, with Kelley O'Connor an ardent soloist in the In 2018/19, the Fort Worth Symphony symphony.” - The Dallas Morning News Orchestra drew nearly 200,000 attendees to experience concerts at Tchaikovsky/Ehnes Bass Performance Hall, in local schools, “The excellent violinist James Ehnes was the soloist in the Violin Concerto, and in community centers throughout supplying great delicacy where called North Texas. for, great drama elsewhere, effortlessly tossing off the most fearsome technical challenges. Harth-Bedoya and the orchestra were the most attentive and responsive partners, with dynamics and First-Time Ticket Buyers balances flawlessly gauged.” - The Dallas Morning News 782 1,259 1,476 959 3,247 Spano/Mahler Review “In Saturday's performance, Spano got Symphonic Pops Specials Family CITG some of the finest playing I've heard from the Fort Worth orchestra — strings precise and responsive, brasses dazzling in bright array...” - The Dallas Morning News Total Tickets Sold Byron Stripling – Ragtime, Blues, and all that Jazz Programs for Familes & Children Bass Hall Series CITG Collaborations* “The FWSO plays the role of a studio orchestra—providing a rich, solid 64,216 52,219 31,490 13,318 background and colorful support for Stripling and Floyd, and they do it well. Their command over the material is solid *Collaborations include Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Opera, The Cliburn, and Others. and their ability to follow the organic flow of Stripling’s interpretations demonstrates polished musicianship.” - Theater Jones Families and Children Attendees 2017-18 | 43,304 2018-19 | 64,216 6 From its first education concerts in 1926, the Fort Worth Symphony has remained committed to engaging young minds through music. Today, the FWSO’s Adventures in Music education and community outreach program serves nearly 65,000 children and adults each year with innovative and engaging musical experiences. Education Sponsors Who We Served: By the Numbers Adeline & George McQueen Foundation Alcon Foundation 216 schools Ann L. & Carol Green Rhodes Charitable Trust 30 community partners Arts Council of Fort Worth Fash Foundation Fifth venueA Foundation Education Program for Students Frances C. & William P. Smallwood Foundation Kinderconcerts – 1,800 John & Frances Wasilchak Peter & the Wolf – 13,702 Charitable Fund of the North Carnegie Hall Link Up – 6,800 Texas Community Foundation Young Persons’ Concert – 4,247 Mollie & Garland Lasater Ellis Island: The Dream of America – 1,875 Charitable Fund of the North Education Glen Rose ISD Cultural Partnership – 1,900 Texas Community Foundation Touring Texas Youth Concerts – 7,410 The Lowe Foundation Open Rehearsals – 970 Highlights Gary Patterson Foundation Red Oak Foundation Community Program for Adults and Families Sear Family Foundation Go! Arts Community Concerts – 963 Symphony League of Fort Worth Touring Texas Community Concerts – 750 Texas Commission on the Arts Family Concerts – 5,588 The Thomas M., Helen McKee & Beethoven’s Buddies – 689 John P. Ryan Foundation 2% 4% Ethnicities Served 16% White 46% 46% Hispanic 32% African American 16% Asian 4% 32% Multi-Racial 2% 8 9 Budget FINANCIAL SUMMARY For the third year in a row, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra ended the season with balancedFINANCIAL or SUMMARY better operating results. FINANCIAL SUMMARY Ticket sales were strong, and thanks to our many generous donors, contributions made upFor 42% the third of our year revenues. in a row, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra ended the