Finale Celebration to Honor Maestro John Giordano’s Enduring Legacy in Fort Worth

May 3 concert at TCU features Giordano conducting Youth Orchestra in special tribute appearance.

April 20, 2026 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FORT WORTH, TX — The Fort Worth Youth Orchestra (FWYO) will honor Maestro John Giordano at its Finale Celebration on May 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM at Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU.

A founding conductor of the FWYO (previously known as the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth), Giordano played a defining role in shaping the organization’s early identity and long-term impact. His leadership launched the orchestra’s first international tour to Switzerland—an experience that set the stage for decades of global engagement and remains a cornerstone of the organization’s programming.

The May 3 performance will feature Giordano returning to conduct the Youth Orchestra in the finale movement of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4.

The program also includes Youth Orchestra Music Director Dr. Germán Gutiérrez conducting:

• Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1, featuring Concerto Competition Winner Elise Poling

• Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture

• Additional works celebrating the season finale

Following the concert, an Encore Celebration dinner reception will take place on-site.

Concert tickets begin at $35 and are available at fwyo.org/finale. Members of the media are invited to attend and will be accommodated upon request.

Throughout a distinguished career spanning decades, Giordano has left an indelible mark on the musical life of Fort Worth and beyond. As Music Director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra for 28 seasons, he helped transform the ensemble into a fully professional, nationally recognized orchestra. He also served for 40 years as Jury Chairman of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and has conducted internationally across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. His lifelong dedication to music education—including his early leadership of the Youth Orchestra—has influenced generations of young musicians.

Press Inquiries: Lauren Arie - larie@fwyo.org / 817-923-3121 x18

---

Thank You to our Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsors

Mrs. Mercedes T. Bass

Mollie & Garland Lasater*

*The FWYO is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Honorary Board Member Mollie Lasater. We are forever grateful for her leadership and support of all Fort Worth children.

Concert Patrons

Richard & Ann Gipson

Concert Supporters

Raffle Contributors

---

About FWYO:

Celebrating 60 years of extraordinary music education during the 2024-2025 season, the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra has won local, national, and international recognition as one of the finest youth orchestra programs in the United States. Through ten programs - including four major orchestras, two wind ensembles, a jazz band, Early Childhood Music, FWYO Suzuki School, and chamber programs - the FWYO delivers high-quality musical instruction to nearly 500 students ranging in age from four to eighteen years, representing communities throughout North Texas.

Founded by a community group headed by Betty Utter and under the direction of conductors Ezra Rachlin and John Giordano, the FWYO was founded to promote and inspire the continuing development of musical talent in qualified area youth through intensive education in classical orchestral rooted music and performance. The programs offer students the opportunity to further develop their talent as well as their leadership skills, self-discipline, confidence, and pride in personal achievement. Many of the nearly 20,000 alumni of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra program have gone on to become members of major symphony orchestras, music educators, or leaders in their fields.

The Orchestra's accomplishments include international concert tours in Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the Far East; music festivals in Switzerland and Washington, D.C.; and numerous other concert appearances across Texas and the Southwest. Its most recent tour in 2024 was to Spain with performances in Barcelona, Valencia, and Cullera. The Youth Orchestra has also been honored to perform with artists such as Van Cliburn, Jose Feghali, Yakov Kasman, Tamàs Ungàr, and John Owings, and composers Morton Gould and Samuel Adler. In 2021, the FWYO also received 2nd in the Youth Orchestra Division of the prestigious American Prize and 3rd place in the 2024 American Prize. The Wind Ensemble also won 1st place in the American Prize Youth Band division in 2024.

Under the leadership of Music Director Dr. Germán Gutiérrez since 2000 and Executive Director Andrew Reynolds since 2021, the FWYO has become one of North Texas’ most prestigious performing arts organizations. In addition to its educational programs, the FWYO owns and operates historic Orchestra Hall, located in Foster Park, which has been home to numerous performing arts organizations since 1975