FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Janine Khammash, Communications Coordinator, 817.923.3121,
info@fwyo.org
Willa Dunleavy, Executive Director, 817.923.3121,
wdunleavy@fwyo.org
Fort Worth Youth Orchestra Announces 51st Concert Season
Fort Worth, TX – The Fort Worth Youth Orchestra (FWYO) begins the 2015-16 concert season
under the leadership of Music Director Germán Gutiérrez, now 16 years in the role. FWYO
continues the tradition of inspired musical excellence with a range of educational programs that
attract over 400 new and returning musicians, ages 6 to 18 years of age.
2015-16 Concert Season Overview
The 2015-16 concert series offers a wide range of advance classical orchestral repertoire for young
musicians and has inspired audiences throughout north Texas for over 51 years.
Concert Calendar:

October 22, 2015: The String Orchestra and the Junior String Orchestra will perform with
guest pianist, Jonathan Tsay, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. Mr. Tsay is an
alumnus of the FWYO and a Cliburn artist. Suzuki and Early Childhood musicians will
perform a pre-concert. This free concert begins at 7 p.m. and is open to the public.

October 25, 2015: The Daniel Pearl World Music Days, “Harmony for Humanity” concert
will feature the Youth Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Adkins/Newman
Family Ensemble in the Murchison Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University
of North Texas. Chamber Ensemble musicians perform prior to the concert. Concert begins
at 4 p.m. Tickets are available at the door: $5 for students and $10 for adults.

December 13, 2015: FWYO’s Annual Holiday Concert featuring FWISD Elementary
Children’s Choir, Texas Boys Choir and Ballet Frontier of Texas. Enjoy an audience singalong of holiday classics at TCU’s Ed Landreth Auditorium. Concert begins at 6 p.m.
Tickets are available at the door: $5 for students and $10 for adults.

March 6, 2016: FWYO’s Spring Concert, “Cowboys and Culture,” at Bass Performance
Hall. This concert features all four of the FWYO Orchestras, Suzuki students and winners
of the Concerto Competition. Chamber Ensemble musicians will perform prior to the
concert. Concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets on sale through the Bass Hall Box Office.

May 8, 2016: FWYO’s Season Finale Concert at Ed Landreth Auditorium featuring all
orchestras, Suzuki and Early Childhood Musicians and the Chamber Ensembles. Concerto
competition winners will perform. Concert begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the
door: $5 for students $10 for adults.
View the full season schedule and for more information visit www.fwyo.org
Educational and Community Engagement
Along with the full schedule of traditional subscription season concerts, FWYO collaborate once
again with as the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) for excellence in classical music. This
collaboration between FWSO and FWYO was introduced in 2014 and offers a chance for young
musicians to be mentored by FWSO members, through master classes and side-by-side
performances. We are “Partnering for the Future of Classical Music!”
Suzuki Program – The Suzuki Program is a private lesson program offered through the Fort Worth
Youth Orchestra (FWYO) for violin, viola, cello, and bass students. In addition to private lessons,
group classes are also offered for students studying Suzuki method.
Early Childhood Music - Fort Worth Suzuki is offering a new early childhood music class for 20142015 using First Steps in Music–a music and movement program for infants through early
elementary-aged children. John Feierabend, who is considered one of the leading authorities on
childhood music and movement development, created the program. His approach uses traditional
folk music and developmentally appropriate pedagogies to help children understand and
enjoy classical music. A parent or guardian must participate with their child/children.
Chamber Music - Members of the two most advanced orchestras, the Youth Orchestra and the
Philharmonic, are invited to participate in the FWYO Chamber Music Program. Formed into string
quartets, woodwind quintets and brass quintets, these ensembles learn how to perform in small
groups with one player to a part, develop leadership, public speaking and team building skills and
hone their performance mechanics under the direction of skilled chamber music coaches. Many of
these young musicians are considering advanced music study and this program expands their
learning and performance opportunities in meaningful ways.
Germán Gutiérrez, Music Director and Conductor
Dr. Germán Augusto Gutiérrez, Music Director and Conductor of the Youth Orchestra since 2000,
is an Associate Professor at Texas Christian University. He is also the Director of Orchestra for the
Center for Latin American Music at TCU. Dr. Gutiérrez is a frequent guest conductor of
professional orchestras such as the Fort Worth and Dallas Orchestras; the National Symphony
Orchestras of Peru, Colombia, and Puerto Rico; the Philharmonic Orchestra of Bogotá and New
Zealand; Symphony Orchestras of Barranquilla and Del Valle in Colombia, Rio de Janeiro's Teatro
Municipal and Porto Alegre in Brazil, Xalapa in Mexico, and Pergine Spettacolo Aperto in Italy. Dr.
Gutiérrez received his Bachiller and Maestro in Music from the Tolima Conservatory in his native
Colombia. He subsequently received his Master in Music from Illinois State University and his
Doctor of Arts Degree from the University of Northern Colorado.
John Giordano, Conductor Emeritus
A native of Dunkirk, New York, John Giordano studied music at Texas Christian University, the
Royal Conservatory of Brussels and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North
Texas. After teaching stints at Tarleton State University and University of North Texas, he returned
to TCU in 1973 as Associate Professor of Music in 1976. In Addition to his 27 years as the
Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony, Giordano conducted the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort
Worth from 1968-1976. Since 1973 he has been the chairman of the jury for the prestigious Van
Cliburn International Piano Competition held every four years in Fort Worth. In 1996, TCU trustees
honored Giordano by naming the piano wing of the university’s new Mary D. and F. Howard Walsh
Center for Performing Arts after him. He resides in Fort Worth with his wife, Mary Alice.
About the Youth Orchestra
The Fort Worth Youth Orchestra has provided music education through orchestral programs and
performance opportunities of the highest caliber since 1965. But, FWYO is more than exceptional
performances; it is music education, music outreach and special events. Each year, the organization
serves over 300 talented Fort Worth-area musicians ages 5 - 18 through four core orchestras and
supplemental programs that include chamber music ensembles and an all-level Suzuki Strings
Program. FWYO musicians experience superb orchestral and chamber music instruction from Fort
Worth's most respected professional musicians, perform in world-class concert halls and gain the
self-confidence and discipline necessary for a successful future. With over 2,500 alumni, the
organization's impact can be felt throughout the region in both musical and non-musical fields. Fort
Worth Youth Orchestra is proud to be celebrating 51 years of Inspired Musical Excellence.
www.fwyo.org