Fort Worth Symphony Receives $5 Million Gift

Mercedes T. Bass, who chairs the orchestra's board, made the donation in celebration of her 80th birthday

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO), in Texas, has recently received a gift of $5 million from Mercedes T. Bass, the Chair of the FWSO Board. Mrs Bass has made the donation in celebration of her 80th birthday and intends for the funds to be spent over a five-year period.

To thank Mrs Bass for her gift, the FWSO will rename their Concerts in the Garden series as "The Mercedes T. Bass FWSO Concerts in the Garden Series" for a period of 15 consecutive years. This renaming will take effect upon the full-time return of the festival, with the exact date to be determined. Until then, the FWSO will temporarily name the new summer series as the "Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Mercedes T. Bass Sounds of the Summer Series."

A long-term donor, Mercedes Bass's past gifts have been instrumental in the running of the FWSO. In particular, her philanthropy allowed the ensemble to recruit Robert Spano as its Music Director. Mrs Bass has also initiated a matching gift program, the Campaign for Artistic Excellence Matching Gift Program, aimed at inspiring the philanthropic community to rally behind the FWSO.

"You really claim something once you pay for it," Bass said. "If you get it for free, it’s not the same, but when you give a $100 you feel you own part of that item. That is why I am really, truly hoping that the business community and the other communities will come through and support the symphony at the highest level of their capacity."

"We are immensely honored and grateful for Mrs. Bass' extraordinary gift," said Keith Cerny, FWSO President and CEO. "Her unwavering support allows us to continue our mission of enriching lives through the power of music. We are excited to embark on this new chapter and look forward to the future with great enthusiasm."