Where Music Meets Mission
Powerful on stage. Meaningful in the community. the next generation. each movement. every heart.
Because the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra is a performing ensemble composed almost entirely of amateur musicians, our educational and community service activities are directly integrated with our season concerts. Our programs frequently showcase student achievement and talent. Whether it’s a songwriting contest for elementary schoolchildren, a platform for gifted high school musicians or a launching pad for college students bound for a career in music, our orchestra is an eager partner in these formative experiences for young people. Our annual holiday concert for families is named for the philanthropic gesture we and our patrons make to assist the Fort Worth Police and young children in domestic crises.
Teddy Bear Concert
Since 2002, our annual holiday concert for children has been dedicated to collecting stuffed toys for local children in crisis. Though the concert is free – as are all of our home concerts – we ask our patrons to bring one stuffed animal to donate to the Fort Worth Police Department. The police officers carry the toys in the back of their patrol cars to hand out to children when responding to domestic disturbance calls. The experience can be frightening and traumatic to a young child, but having a lovey to hold onto can calm a distressed boy or girl caught in a fearful and confusing situation.
Holiday Carol Contest
In 2004, FWCO music director Kurt Sprenger conceived an annual songwriting contest expressly for elementary schoolchildren. The students – working either individually or in groups and with help from their school music teacher – compose words and music to a seasonal carol of their own creation. The entrants are judged by the quality of the melody and the lyrics, and the selected songs are professionally arranged for voice and orchestra. The annual unveiling of these “brand new” holiday carols has become a FWCO tradition and one of the highlights of our Teddy Bear Concert.
Young Musicians Concerto Competition
The Fort Worth Civic Orchestra’s annual Young Musicians Concerto Competition, established in 2011, offers talented North Texas musicians through high school age the rare opportunity to perform as soloists with a full symphony orchestra. Held each spring, the competition supports artistic growth by providing a professional performance setting and celebrating the achievements of emerging musicians. Many participants have gone on to pursue advanced studies and careers in music, and we are proud to play a role in nurturing the next generation of talented performers.
Made possible by a generous grant from the Dr. William Chambers Family
Summer Reading Orchestra
The Fort Worth Civic Orchestra started as a “reading orchestra” where volunteers gathered to rehearse new music without performance pressure. Our Summer Reading Orchestra continues this tradition through three sessions each summer, featuring accessible and fun pieces for musicians of all backgrounds.
The Summer Reading Orchestra is open to prospective FWCO members, college students home for summer, current members seeking off-season fun, and musicians of all ages and skill levels. Non-musicians are also welcome to observe the process of learning new pieces. The focus is on musical exploration, learning, and community.
