Letter from the President & CEO

Dear FWSO Patrons and Supporters,

As you review the results of the FWSO’s 2020-2021 season in this annual report, I hope that you will join me in celebrating what the FWSO has accomplished over the first two seasons affected by the COVID-19 virus. Thanks to your unwavering support, the FWSO has been among the most successful American orchestras in “keeping the music playing” during the pandemic.

Early in the pandemic, Board Chairman Mercedes T. Bass and I set the joint goals of prioritizing the health and safety of the musicians, crew, and administrative staff, and paying our talented core musicians and dedicated staff with no job cuts, furloughs, or pay reductions. As the public health crisis enters its third year, I am delighted to report that the FWSO has been able to enhance its artistic vibrancy and innovation in 2021 despite the pandemic, and also achieve strong financial results.

Artistically, the FWSO is stronger than ever. In February 2021, we named the acclaimed American conductor Robert Spano as the FWSO’s Music Director Designate. We are extraordinarily lucky to have been able to recruit Maestro Spano as our next Music Director; he is known in North America and Europe as an exceptional conductor, generous colleague, and enthusiastic collaborator with musicians and staff. In December 2021, we named Ghanaian-German conductor Kevin John Edusei as the FWSO’s Principal Guest Conductor. I cannot imagine stronger artistic leadership than these two remarkable musicians. At the May 2021 Board meeting, Maestro Spano and I announced an exciting new artistic vision for the FWSO, including growing and developing the orchestra; increasing the creativity, breadth, and vibrancy of FWSO’s musical programs; and expanding the FWSO’s existing passionate commitment to student and adult education. Since his appointment, we have also appointed 10 tenure-track musicians in the orchestra, primarily filling vacancies due to retirements and normal attrition.

Financially, the FWSO has managed the two pandemic years extremely well, thanks to the generosity of Board Chairman Mercedes T. Bass, Mr. and Mrs. John Kleinheinz, Ed Schollmaier, and other donors, as well as significant government assistance. For the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the FWSO reported a net deficit of just $12,027 for the year ending July 31, 2020, having used $336,172 of the Board reserve. For the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the FWSO had a net surplus of $13,678 for the year ending July 31, 2021, having paid back $330,000 into the Board reserve. Over these two fiscal years, then, the FWSO has achieved virtually balanced financial results, while paying our gifted musicians and hard-working staff in full.

In closing, I want to thank all of our patrons and supporters for their loyal support during this “once in a century” public health crisis. While the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us, unfortunately, we should all feel collective pride in how well the Board, patrons, donors, musicians, stage crew, and staff have come together to respond to this unprecedented challenge. Thank you!

Yours sincerely,