FORT WORTH YOUTH ORCHESTRA: 1965-2017
Since 1965, the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth has offered gifted and talented students the opportunity to be involved in extraordinary music education through its orchestra training and performance programs. It is one of the oldest youth orchestras in the country. Its companion ensembles include the Philharmonic Orchestra (est. 1972), the String Orchestra (1976) and the Junior String Orchestra (1995.) In addition, the Chamber Music Ensembles offer students the chance to study the chamber music repertoire. In 1982, the Board of Directors established the Suzuki School, which offers individual lessons, group and theory classes for young violinists, violist, and cellists.
Founders of the Youth Orchestra included Robert Alexander, Frank Hughes, Betty Utter, Grace Ward Lankford, Kathryn Dacus, Adrienne Moran Reisner and Richard Taub. Initial funding was from the Junior League of Fort Worth. Ezra Rachlin was named the Conductor, and John Giordano Associate Conductor. The first concert was held at Scott Theater.
John Giordano led the Youth Orchestra students in performances as the International Orchestra Festival in St. Moritz, Switzerland. They were one of only four U.S. youth orchestras to be invited. They performed under the baton of Leopold Stokowski.
International tour to Prague, Czech Republic and Vienna, Austria.
International tour to Puebla, Mexico.
The FWYO traveled to Washington, D.C. as members of the first American Festival of Youth Orchestras, conducted by John Giordano.
The FWYO performed at the American Symphony Orchestra League conference with Morton Gould conducting.
International tour to Toronto, Canada.
International tour to Romania, Hungary and Austria.
International tour to England, Scotland and Wales.
The Youth Orchestra performed music by Samuel Adler, with the composer conducting. In that same year, they also performed Copland's Lincoln Portrait with Van Cliburn as the narrator.
International tour to Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Tour to Hawaii.
International tour to Italy.
International tour to Salzburg, Vienna and Prague.
International tour to Nagaoka, Japan.
International tour to Italy.
International tour to Austria & Czech Republic