What: Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra 2026 Gala
Where: Bass Performance Hall and Omni Fort Worth Hotel
The 411: After a swerve into April last year, the 2026 Fort Worth Symphony Gala moved back to its traditional date on the February calendar, reclaiming its long-established place as the first black-tie gala of the spring social season.
The formal affair on Saturday, February 21 was chaired by FWSO board chairman Mercedes T. Bass - who also served as the event’s $100,000 underwriting sponsor - alongside co-chairs J. Brooks, Averi and Christopher Goff, and Quynh Lu.
The evening began at Bass Hall, where the FWSO, under music director Robert Spano, welcomed internationally acclaimed violinist Gil Shaham in a performance of Brahms’ virtuosic and rhapsodic Violin Concerto.
After a well-earned encore by Shaham and standing ovation by the enthusiastic audience, about 500 patrons proceeded to the nearby Omni Fort Worth Hotel (where the FWSO Gala was last held in 2019) to continue the glamorous evening.
Guests ascended through a dramatic coral-hued floral installation by Jessica Swaim of JLS Hospitality, where oversized roses and poppies, climbing vines, velvet linens, and candlelight transformed the ballroom into a lush floral fantasy.
Patrons and FWSO musicians mingled during cocktail hour in the foyer before sitting down in the Texas Ballroom for a multicourse dinner of beet root and fennel salad; seared chicken breast with Boursin mashed potatoes, baby carrots, and serrano-lime cream; and flourless chocolate cake with Cointreau berry compote and rosemary Chantilly cream.
FWSO president and CEO Keith Cerny joined Spano in offering remarks, and then Joey Quigley of Christie’s Auction House led a lively auction. Coveted packages included a private dinner with FWSO musicians at The Charles; diamond earrings from Piranesi Fine Jewelry; diamond cufflinks from David Webb; and luxe wellness getaways to Canyon Ranch Austin and Tucson.
A paddle raise brought the evening to an emotional high point, buoyed by a surprise $30,000 match from board member John Wells and Shay McCulloch-Wells.
By night’s end, the gala had raised a record $1,175,149 in support of Adventures in Music, the orchestra’s education initiative that serves more than 20,000 North Texas students each year.
Guests celebrated the milestone by dancing the night away to the Special Edition Band and departed with gift bags courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Kate Weiser Chocolates.
Save the date for the next FWSO Gala, featuring opera star Joyce DiDonato, on February 20, 2027.
Who: Notable guests spotted in attendance included John Goff, Cami Goff, Jennifer Cerny, Bradford Spring, Keith Williams, DJ Cheek, Nicholas Sakakeeny, Susy Weaver, Jacques Marquis, Henry Lu, Marcia French, Jimmy Coury, Marianne Auld, Bonnie Janzen, Stuart Thomas Semi Ali, Farhan Ali, Grant Allen, Kristi Allen, Stanislav Chernyshev, and hundreds more patrons and guests.
