The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra ushered in its 2026-27 season with an Opening Night filled with elegance and drama - on stage and off.

First came a performance by the FWSO, under the direction of Robert Spano, in front of a satisfyingly full audience in Bass Hall. The crowd enthusiastically applauded Spano's entrance on stage for the first time this season. Without missing a beat, he quipped, "Thank you. We haven't done anything yet."

Then, turning serious, he acknowledged the evening's somber date - September 11 - and announced that the orchestra's traditional opening rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" would be dedicated to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the United States exactly 25 years ago that day. Hands over hearts, the audience sang the National Anthem boldly but reverently.

Spano and the orchestra welcomed pianist Aristo Sham from Hong Kong for his highly anticipated return to the Fort Worth stage where he claimed the gold medal in the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Known throughout the competition for his elegant playing and stage presence, he delighted with a performance of Mozart's beloved Piano Concerto No. 23.

Aristo Sham performs Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and maestro Robert Spano.Photo by Jill Johnson

Spano and the FWSO book-ended Sham's performance with two beloved works by Beethoven, his Egmont Overture and Symphony No. 5, one of the most iconic works in all of Classical music.

The crowd-pleasing symphonic work and its fiery finish made for a dramatic start to the new season, which marks Spano’s unbelievable fifth year as FWSO music director.

Still buzzing from the concert, FWSO's most devoted supporters took a short walk to City Club for a late-night dinner party. Hosted in absentia by board chairman Mercedes T. Bass and the FWSO board of directors, the Opening Night Celebration honored board vice chairman John Wells and his wife, Shay McCulloch-Wells, with the Medal of Excellence for their tremendous dedication and generosity to the FWSO.

Orchestra patrons, staff, and musicians filed into the opulent ballroom and grabbed glasses of wine and champagne or visited the bar for a mixed drink or shaken martini. In honor of Sham, a towering piano-shaped ice sculpture provided both the focal point of the elegant room and a popular photo opp.

Custom ice sculpture in honor of guest pianist Aristo Sham. Photo by Jill Johnson

The opening-night party is as much a celebration of the FWSO musicians as it is of those who support the music-making. Relaxed and fresh from the stage, musicians including concertmaster Michael Shih, assistant concertmaster Eugene Cherkasov, assistant principal trumpet Cody McClarty, violinist Kimberly Torgul, Violist Aleksandra Holowka, cellist Debbie Brooks (and many more) mingled with symphony leaders and supporters.

Guests dined on a buffet of sliced beef tenderloin, lamb chops, cold salmon, an assortment of finger sandwiches, salad, charcuterie, and mini tarts, brownies and cheesecakes. The mashed potato bar was the most popular stop of the night (in fact, the whole event has been lovingly referred to by some as "the mashed potato dinner").

FWSO president and CEO Dr. Keith Cerny introduced John Wells and Shay McCulloch-Wells before awarding them the Medal of Excellence for outstanding commitment to the FWSO. Lifelong proponents of music education, the Wellses, notably, are the underwriting sponsors of the FWSO's flagship program Adventures in Music, which each year reaches over 40,000 students in North Texas, Cerny noted.

"John and Shay, we thank you for your steadfast support, your visionary leadership, and your love of music, which continues to make an indelible mark on the symphony and literally tens of thousands of children in the North Texas community," he saluted.

John Wells, Shay McCulloch-Wells, Robert Spano, Keith CernyPhoto by Jill Johnson

Among those offering them warm applause were FWSO staff, board members, patrons, and friends including Stephanie Moreau, Kristine Williams, Quynh Lu, Dr. Saiyeda Semine Ali, Dr. Debra Koppelberger, Marianne Auld, Mary Smith, Dwayne Smith, Henry Borbolla, Becky Borbolla, Jimmy Coury, Melissa Greenhill, Joe Greenhill, Dottie Hall, Rachel McClarty, Cody McClarty, Shane Brown, Rebecca Brown, Donald Sibley, Michele Burzynski, Rima Lee, Eric Lee, Jacques Marquis, Sandra Doan, and many more.

Besides being an artistic showcase and a fun social evening, the Opening Night Celebration was a triumph in another important way: It raised a record $141,854 - more than $40,000 above its goal for the night - thanks in no small part to executive chairman-elect Paul Wehba, who helped sponsor the evening's festivities and ensure the FWSO starts the season strong.

Photo by Jill Johnson

Aristo Sham (center) with Kristine Williams, Quynh Lu, Dr. Saiyeda Semine Ali, and Dr. Debra Koppelberger

The Fort Worth Symphony's next significant fundraising event will be its Annual Gala, scheduled for February 20, 2027. The evening will feature a concert with opera star Joyce DiDonato, followed by a banquet dinner at The Omni Fort Worth Hotel.