The Fort Worth Youth Orchestra Announces its 2025-2026 Season!
- Lauren Arie
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
September 25, 2025 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORT WORTH, TX — The Fort Worth Youth Orchestra proudly announces its 2025–2026 season, presenting an exciting lineup of concerts that showcase the extraordinary talent of its ensembles. From symphonic masterworks to intimate chamber performances and lively jazz showcases, this season offers something for every music lover in North Texas.
Tickets for all performances are available on our website three weeks before each concert. Main Concert Series performances may have multiple start times.
Main Concert Series
Opening Fall Concert – October 5, 2025 – Will Rogers Auditorium
The season begins with a thrilling opening concert day of multiple FWYO ensemble performances. The Youth Orchestra closes the program with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, a powerful start to the new season.
Holiday Spectacular! – December 6–7, 2025 – Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU
FWYO’s beloved holiday tradition returns for two days of festive performances. Audiences will enjoy seasonal favorites from multiple ensembles, highlighted by the Youth Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker with special guest, Ballet Frontier.
Spring Concert – March 8, 2026 – I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM & VPA
Celebrate spring with an inspiring afternoon of music featuring FWYO’s orchestras and wind ensembles. The Youth Orchestra will perform Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kije, and works by Berlioz and Turina.
Finale Concert – May 3, 2026 – Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU
The season concludes with an unforgettable concert recognizing our seniors and honoring FWYO Founding Conductor Maestro John Giordano, who will receive the Fort Worth Young Musicians Advocate Award. Following the performance, guests are welcomed to a special ticketed post-concert reception.
Other Program Performances
FREE! Holiday Jazz at the Square – December 5, 2025 – Sundance Square
Kick off the season’s festivities with FWYO’s Jazz Band performing holiday favorites in the heart of downtown Fort Worth.
Jazz for Toys for Tots – December 6, 2025 – Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU
Swing into the Holidays with FWYO Jazz and the local Ken Ebo Jazz Orchestra! This special partnership with the U.S. Marines and Toys for Tots brings a spirited jazz performance. Bring a new, unwrapped toy in lieu of a ticket and enjoy an evening of music to benefit children in need.
FREE! Fall Chamber Recital – December 12, 2025 – Kimbell Art Museum
FWYO’s chamber musicians present an intimate program in one of Fort Worth’s most iconic settings. This year marks the debut of chamber groups formed by principal players from the Youth Orchestra, promising performances of exceptional artistry.
FREE! Suzuki Winter Concert – December 16, 2025 – Orchestra Hall
FWYO’s youngest musicians take center stage in this joyful group concert, showcasing the progress and enthusiasm of the organization’s Suzuki program students.
Side-by-Side with FWSO – February 8, 2026 – I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM & VPA
FWYO’s Youth Orchestra performs Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 alongside the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
Jazz Showcase – February 27, 2026 – Kimbell Art Museum
FWYO Jazz highlights their mid-season repertoire in this exciting performance.
FREE! Chamber Finale – April 25, 2026 – Kimbell Art Museum
An elegant season finale for FWYO’s chamber music program, featuring advanced student ensembles.
Jazz Finale – April 25, 2026 – Kimbell Art Museum
FWYO Jazz closes out the season with an energetic program.
FREE! Suzuki Finale – May 5, 2026 – Orchestra Hall
Celebrate the accomplishments of FWYO’s Suzuki program students in this joyful year-end concert.
Wind Ensemble Finale – May 12, 2026 – Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU
The FWYO Wind Ensemble and Junior Wind Ensemble cap their season with a dynamic performance.
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.
Press Inquiries: Lauren Arie - larie@fwyo.org / 817-923-3121 x18