Amy Adkins has been chosen to lead the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
FORT WORTH _ Mrs. Sid R. Bass, chairman of the board of directors of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Association, announced the appointment of Amy Adkins as president-elect of the association.
Adkins will succeed Ann Koonsman as president and CEO of the association.
Adkins has devoted the past 16 years of her career to arts administration and fundraising. Since 2002, she has served as vice president of development for the FWSO. Previously, Adkins served as education coordinator at the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in the mid-90s. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in education with a specialization in music from Texas Tech University. Adkins’ husband of 18 years, Alton Adkins, has performed as co-associate principal horn with the FWSO since 1993.
Koonsman, longtime president and CEO of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Association, announced her retirement in January, effective July 31. Koonsman cited wishes to spend more time with family and to pursue other interests.
Leading the FWSO since 1980, her tenure includes making the Fort Worth orchestra (fwsymphony.org) one of the most successful orchestras in its budget category. Its $12 million balanced budget includes a 45-week concert season, and the orchestra boasts a $27 million endowment fund, according to a release from the FWSO.
Koonsman also founded The Concerts In The Garden Summer Music Festival in 1990, an event that attracts nearly 45,000 patrons annually.
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Concert Pianist Danny Wright
Life is supposed to be more than dashing to appointments, being stuck in traffic, worrying about 401Ks.
Pianist Danny Wright reminded us of how life should be In a Friday evening concert at the beautiful Majestic Theatre in Dallas. Wright gave us an oasis from fretful pressures, treating his audience to an other-worldy performance. With theatrical flair, the classically-trained Wright demonstrated his versatility choosing a varied program for this concert, which served as a fundraiser for Star Children’s Charity and The eWomen’s Network Foundation.
From inspirational to romantic, from nostalgic to dramatic, Wright transported his listeners on his musical journey connected by his own patter about his selections. In his lush interepretations of Moon River and Summertime, Wright dramatically commanded the most from his piano.
High points from the evening came in the second half when he was joined on stage by six string musicians from the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Backed by the strings, his performance of Pachebel’s Canon in D and Amazing Grace were highlights. Wright and cellist Debbie Brooks paired for a duet of Don’t Cry for me Argentina, which was marred only slightly because of early difficulties with the sound level of the cello.
Also taking the stage with the pianist was soprano Lauren Jelencovich. Teaming on the ever-popular Somewhere Over the Rainbow , they ended the concert with the audience floating on an emotional, if not rainbow, high.
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