The Windsor Symphony Orchestra is looking ahead to 2026 — a season that will double as a global search for its next music director. The process comes in the wake of the recent passing of longtime maestro Robert Franz, whose artistic vision continues to guide the orchestra through the current season. Board chair Deborah Severs said the orchestra will soon begin a formal process to find Franz’s successor. “We are really proud and determined to carry on Robert’s vision and to work live orchestral music here in Windsor,” said Severs, speaking to Windsor city councillors Monday. In the meantime, guest conductors are being lined up to finish out the season and into 2026, including resident conductor Jeffrey Larson. Severs noted Franz himself handpicked many of the conductors who will lead the orchestra through the remainder of this year prior to his death on Sept. 2. All this comes as the Capitol Theatre remains packed with activity. The symphony opened its 2025 season this past weekend with “Opening Night with Gershwin,” drawing more than 900 people across two shows. “The theater is thriving, and we are pleased to tell you that our rental bookings for this year are already ahead of what our budget was,” Severs said. “This role has provided us with many amazing opportunities, with the biggest being that it’s the place the Windsor Symphony Orchestra can call our home. This is one iconic jewel of a building in our city.” The orchestra is also reporting a return to sellout crowds, echoing the popularity it enjoyed before the pandemic. Concertmaster Lillian Scheirich said the growing support reflects Franz’s lasting impact. “All of his inspiration, his hard work, his vision for our orchestra and for our community has to continue,” she said. She pointed to expanded education and outreach efforts as part of that legacy. Last year alone, the symphony performed for more than 19,000 students and brought music to seniors in long-term care homes. “We will continue to miss Robert, but we will carry on his legacy in every piece of music we perform,” Scheirich added. She also reminded councillors of Franz’s own words to city hall in 2024. “In my 30 years in this profession, I have rarely seen a community so on fire for the symphony the way that Windsor-Essex is,” recalled Scheirich.
