At the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, from left: Principal Guest Conductor Kevin John Edusei, President and CEO Keith Cerny, Board Chair Mercedes T. Bass, and Music Director Robert Spano. Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
In Tuesday’s (4/30 Fort Worth Report, Marcheta Fornoff writes, “Mercedes T. Bass’ official title with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra is board chair. Unofficially, she is also the orchestra’s biggest fan. The philanthropist recently donated $5 million—to be allocated over the next five years—to the nonprofit in honor of her 80th birthday. As part of her donation, Bass created the Campaign for Artistic Excellence Matching Gift Program … to encourage others to support the symphony…. A Fort Worth resident and lifelong lover of music, Bass said she hopes the gift will encourage others to recognize the value of having a world-class symphony—and invest in it…. The gift has already inspired others to give or increase their donations, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s President and CEO Keith Cerny reported…. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person performances were temporarily shut down, the orchestra had the ability to pay its staff without cutting positions or salaries. This was possible, Cerny said, through the generosity of the Paycheck Protection Program, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, and private donations, including funds from Bass…. In Bass’ view, a great symphony is a hallmark of a great city, and music itself is essential to life.”
