FWYO Celebrates Legacy of Co-Founder Betty Utter as League of American Orchestras Establishes National Award in Her Honor

Betty Utter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fort Worth, TX - November 7, 2025 

The Fort Worth Youth Orchestra (FWYO) proudly joins the national arts community in celebrating Betty Utter, co-founder of the FWYO, as the League of American Orchestras announces the creation of the Betty Utter Community Impact Award. The new national honor recognizes the visionary behind the League’s Youth Orchestra Division and co-founder of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, whose belief in the power of young musicians helped shape the youth orchestra movement across the United States.

Utter’s influence on Fort Worth’s cultural landscape is lasting and profound. Already an accomplished composer - having written the musical Heidi - she rallied community leaders, educators, and arts advocates in 1965 to establish what was then known as the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth, the first youth orchestra in North Texas. Her conviction was simple yet bold: young people deserve transformative musical experiences, and communities thrive when they invest in their rising artists.

Betty Utter and John Giordano receive award

“When I met Betty I was the Associate Conductor of the newly formed Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth,” said John Giordano, FWYO Conductor Emeritus. “Betty had a beautiful soprano voice, was a talented composer and a superb administrator who tirelessly worked to raise funds and create a high visibility in the Metroplex for the Youth Orchestra. Together we laid the groundwork for its current international visibility and high artistic level. The League’s decision to create this honor in her name will inspire the next generation of fine musicians and leaders of society.”

Though Betty Utter passed away in 1998, her leadership was remarkable, particularly at a time when few women held prominent roles in arts leadership and civic organizations. In addition to starting the Youth Orchestra, she executed Operation YouthLift—a campaign that sent the Youth Orchestra on its first international tour to the International Festival of Youth Orchestras and Performing Arts in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in 1969, where students performed and worked with Leopold Stokowski among others. Utter also led efforts for the acquisition of FWYO’s Orchestra Hall in 1975.

Now in its 61st season, the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra continues to carry her vision forward, nurturing over 500 young musicians annually and contributing to the artistic vibrancy of North Texas. The tradition of international touring continues, with weekly rehearsals still held at Orchestra Hall. The Betty Utter Room stands as a daily reminder of the home she helped build for young artists — a rare achievement in the youth orchestra world at the time.

In 1975, Utter’s vision for national collaboration came to life when she was named the inaugural chair of the League of American Orchestras’ Youth Orchestra Division. What began with six member ensembles has now grown to a network serving over 112 youth orchestras nationwide.

Betty Utter receives Cultural Achievement Award

“The League’s new award celebrates change-makers across the country whose behind-the-scenes leadership mirrors Utter’s legacy: parents, educators, board members, and community champions who quietly move mountains so young musicians may thrive,” said Andrew Reynolds, FWYO Executive Director. “We are honored to see her name inspire a new generation of advocates who, like Utter, understand that a youth orchestra is not simply an ensemble - it is a cornerstone of community, education, and opportunity.”

As youth orchestras nationwide recognize their own “Betty Utters,” the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra expresses deep gratitude for the woman who helped launch both the organization and the national network that continues to support it. Betty Utter didn’t just imagine what a youth orchestra could be - she helped define the field, and her legacy lives on in every student who steps onto the FWYO stage.

For information about the Betty Utter Community Impact Award and to submit nominations, click here. To read the League of American Orchestras' announcement, visit their website.

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About FWYO:

Celebrating 61 years of extraordinary music education during the 2025-2026 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 over 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.

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