Windsor Symphony Orchestra announces performances for 2026-27 season

Windsor Symphony Orchestra made its performance announcement in Windsor, Ont. on April 29, 2026. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor)

The Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO) announced its upcoming season of performances that kicks off on Sept. 26.

The event was held at The Capitol Theatre on Wednesday morning.

The new campaign called “A Season of Becoming” is billed as period of transition, dynamic evolution, and foretelling the story of what is to come next for the WSO over the next few years. It’s also a bittersweet time as the orchestra searches for a new music director after the passing of beloved Maestro Robert Franz from cancer. Franz was directly involved with programming of this upcoming season’s performances.

Music lovers will have an opportunity to experience a diverse and colourful palette of musical themes and genres for beginning in the fall. The first performance is the Bill and Rochelle Tepperman Masterworks concert, Opening Weekend: From Paris and Madrid. It’s a production featuring the sounds of Copland’s Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra performed with WSO celebrated clarinetist, Graham Lord.

Kyle Kootstra is the WSO board chairperson. Kootstra is excited in anticipation of the first show – and recognizes the enormous task to find a music director to lead the organization in the meantime.

“A priority for us in the search process was that we could find someone in Canada, if at all possible, and someone that is excited about making Windsor their home rather than flying in and out, as concerts take place,” said Kootstra.

The WSO was founded in 1947. The orchestra features innovative and dynamic programming throughout the year that features regional, national and international performers of renown.

The historic landmark Capitol Theatre is the WSO’s home base for performances.