Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

Since 1912, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) has served as the city’s cultural touchstone—bringing exceptional concerts and music education to the Fort Worth community and beyond. Today, the FWSO is a robust artistic organization with a 46-week long concert season, 76 full-time professional musicians, and an annual operating budget surpassing $15M.

The FWSO provides a variety of unique experiences to reflect the diversity of the populations the organization serves. The FWSO strives to be purposefully inclusive, rather than accidentally exclusive—offering a concert season consisting of a Symphonic Series, Pops Series, Family Series, Chamber Series, and several free community concerts and events. Additionally, the FWSO regularly plays educational concerts working closely with Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD), a historically underserved school district where 85% of students are considered economically disadvantaged. The FWSO works with FWISD to provide supplementary music education programs and teacher resources through the FWSO’s Adventures in Music (AIM) initiative.

Adventures in Music is a comprehensive suite of music-based educational programs designed to align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) state standards for public school students in grades K-12. Additionally, AIM programs are designed to build upon one another as students progress through their schooling. Throughout their journey with FWSO’s education programs, students develop a deep connection to music and each other. Students who participate in this program learn skills that they can use inside and outside the classroom. 

AIM impacts over 10,000 students annually and additional outreach efforts expand the reach of the FWSO into the community bringing musical experiences to families, the elderly, and other community members who do not regularly attend concerts or qualify for FWSO education programming. The FWSO proudly offers volunteer opportunities to high school students and creates partnerships with select local organizations to offer free tickets to people in underserved populations including those with disabilities and veterans. Last year, the FWSO engaged with more than 65,000 children, families, and friends in the community.

The FWSO education and community programs are building future artists, patrons, music educators, and arts advocates and they rely heavily on funding from the community. The FWSO's goal is to continue fostering relationships with our community partners, to expand the FWSO Education & Community offerings, and to create more "Bridges to Music"—and that is only possible with your help!