DFW International Airport To Host A "Lone Star First" As Dallas Symphony And Fort Worth Symphony Come Together In Celebration Of New International Terminal Dedication

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TX [May 5, 2005] - DFW International Airport's new International Terminal D will be the site of an historic event even before it opens to millions of passengers. DFW announced today that the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) will join together on one stage for the first time ever in their combined 180-year history as part of International Terminal D's dedication on June 13, 2005. International Terminal D will be the largest international airline terminal opened anywhere in the world in more than six years and will be one of the most business-friendly and passenger-focused facilities ever built. 

"This historic musical collaboration will bring together two of the best cultural organizations that Texas has to offer to dedicate and celebrate this major transportation milestone that will bring thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in new economic activity to North Texas from around the globe," said Jeff Fegan, DFW's Chief Executive Officer. "It is another great testament to the community spirit and cooperation that built DFW into the economic engine of North Texas and a world leader in aviation." 

The announcement was made today inside of International Terminal D's North ticketing hall and attended by DFW International Airport board members, executives of both orchestras and Dallas Mayor Laura Miller and Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief. A quintet composed of musicians from both orchestras heralded the announcement today with a brass fanfare. Following its dedication celebration, the new terminal will open to passengers in July. 

The musical program arranged specially for this occasion will feature All-American and international compositions. The program includes Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" and José Pablo Moncayo's "Huapango" to be conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Music Director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Andrew Litton, Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, will conduct George Gershwin's "An American in Paris." 

"The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to be a part of the celebration opening the new International Terminal D. Our commitment to excellence and to being at the highest echelon of American orchestras relates to being an international city, and this opening at DFW again reinforces the international importance of this region," says Fred Bronstein, president & CEO, Dallas Symphony Orchestra. "Also, the DSO has made creation of collaborations and partnerships a 'hallmark' for the future. That's why we are so proud to team up with the Fort Worth Symphony - for the first time ever - for this performance. Together we are one ever-expanding region and it's fitting that orchestras from both cities combine for this event to support something that will serve all our communities." 

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to combine our musical talents with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for the first time, in celebration of the new international terminal at DFW, which will equally serve Dallas and Fort Worth," said Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Music Director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. "Music is the universal language, and it speaks to everyone. International Terminal D will bring people from all over the world to enjoy our fair cities and the fantastic cultural events we offer. It is especially appropriate, I believe, to have the first official event in this wonderful new terminal be a concert of live symphonic music that we can share with our community." 

DFW's new International Terminal D will upscale shopping and fine dining and a host of modern amenities for the international traveler. An arrivals canopy roof will shield pedestrians from inclement weather as they enter and exit the terminal. A Grand Hyatt Hotel will be integrated in the terminal and a new state-of-the-art parking garage will not only have ample spaces, but will aid travelers in finding open spots. 

"International Terminal D will provide both comfort and convenience to travelers from across the globe," said Kevin Cox, DFW's Chief Operating Officer. "North Texas has long been an international destination for business and tourism. Our additional amenities like the International Terminal D, the Grand Hyatt, and Skylink position DFW and our region as a premiere international gateway to the United States for many years ahead." 

The North Texas Commission will provide logistical support and sell sponsorships and tables to the event. For sponsorship information and table sales, please contact, Marcy Sherman, North Texas Commission at (972) 621-0400 or Marcellette@ntc-dfw.org. For individual tickets, please order online by visiting, www.ntc-dfw.org. 

A number of prominent national companies and North Texas businesses have already pledged their sponsorship of the historic event, these include: 

Presenting Sponsors: Corgan Associates Austin Industries

Symphony Sponsors: American Airlines Credit Union CAGE

Reception Sponsors: Carter & Burgess First Southwest Company

Gala Dinner Station Sponsors: Honeywell Chiang, Patel & Yerby 

Runway Sponsors: Corporate Express HNTB

Tower Sponsors: Friberg Associates Pepsi Bottling Company

Underwriting Sponsors Lopez Garcia Group PGAL HKS, Inc. TransSolutions 

About International Terminal D

International Terminal D is a two million-square foot facility capable of handling 37,000 passengers daily or 12.8 million passengers annually. The new terminal is part of a $2.7 billion, five-year Capital Development Program at DFW International Airport. In addition the program includes an integrated 298-room Grand Hyatt Hotel and the world's largest airport high-speed train, Skylink, as well as runway expansion and infrastructure improvements. The expansion projects are expected to generate an estimated $34 billion impact on the North Texas economy and create 77,000 new jobs during the next 15 years. 

About The Dallas Symphony Orchestra Driven by a very bold vision for the future, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is on a strong path toward achieving true greatness. Guided by a new strategic plan, A Bold Plan for Greatness, the Dallas Symphony aims to rise to the very top tier of American orchestras in the next decade, become a key catalyst in making Dallas a world-class city and major cultural center, and to be uniquely rooted and ubiquitous in the community. Financial stability is a key element of the plan as demonstrated by financial success in the 2003-2004 season that included a $50,000 surplus on a $22 million budget, growth in annual donations to their highest level ever and a substantial increase in endowment, which now totals $100 million. The plan is also marked by important artistic initiatives that include thematic programming, a new series of recordings with Hyperion Records as well as new, strategic community collaborations such as the Chamber Music at the Nasher Series and a performance of African Portraits in partnership with The Potter's House. A rich, 105-year history of artistic excellence supports this plan. Currently led by Music Director Andrew Litton, eminent chief conductors such as Antal Dorati, Paul Kletzki, Georg Solti and Eduardo Mata began laying the groundwork for important parts of today's DSO including extensive touring and recording, special community and education concerts and the building of the world-renowned Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center which celebrated its 15th anniversary during the 2004-2005 season. 

About The Fort Worth Symphony

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra has grown to become one of the most successful orchestras of its size in the United States, with an annual budget of $10.8 million, a year-round season and a $22 million endowment fund. Under the artistic leadership of Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya, and as a resident company of the acoustically superb Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall, the Orchestra presents a full range of Symphonic and Pops subscription and special concerts. The Orchestra's innovative programming includes the upcoming regional premiere of Dear Friends: Music from Final Fantasy, which features music from the popular video game series, in a special concert event on July 1 in Bass Performance Hall. Recording projects include a soon-to-be-released album of Latin American pieces with international opera star Juan Diego Florez on the prestigious Decca label. Since its beginning, the FWSO has been a cornerstone of the performing arts community in Fort Worth and today performs for the Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Opera, Southwestern Seminary Oratorio Chorus, and Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - which takes place May 20-June 5 and will be viewed by millions of people around the world. The FWSO's annual Concerts In The Garden Summer Music Festival features a wide array of performances and artists, and has grown to be the largest and most successful summer outdoor festival of its kind in all of North Texas, attracting an annual audience of more than 50,000, including visitors from 26 states. The Orchestra's comprehensive education program, Adventures in Music, annually inspires more than 70,000 schoolchildren and families in Fort Worth and across Texas.