The Capitol Theatre in Windsor. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)The Capitol Theatre in Windsor. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
Windsor

Search for new music director underway

The search for a new music director for the Windsor Symphony Orchestra could take up to 18 months.

The WSO is looking for a new music director after long-time director Maestro Robert Franz passed away in September.

The music director search committee is almost in place and will start meeting in the next two weeks.

The WSO last went through this process over 13 years ago. They received over 200 applications for the position at that time.

"There's a rigorous reference check process which will take weeks and then the process concludes with the short-list candidates coming to Windsor to conduct, to meet with the search committee, board members and community members," said Patti Lauzon, executive director of the WSO.

Lauzon says they are looking for someone with a passion for sharing classical music with the wider community.

"One of the really important qualities, and we had it with our last three music directors, the ability to do community outreach and to really bring classical music into the Windsor-Essex region," said Lauzon.

Jamie Somerville is the acting artistic advisor for the 2025-2026 season. This season's concerts will be conducted by guest conductors, many of which were selected by Franz before he passed away.

Read More Local Stories

New military crosswalk rendering. (Image courtesy of the Sarnia Legion Branch 62)

New military crosswalk in Sarnia to be unveiled

As part of a partnership between the Sarnia Legion Branch 62 and City of Sarnia, an unveiling ceremony will be held at the corner of Christina Street and Wellington Street on Sunday, June 7, at 2 p.m.

Members of the Sarnia Police Service entering a Tashmoo Avenue residence on June 4, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Police Service)

Two men arrested in Tashmoo Ave. standoff

Sarnia police said the investigation began on May 29 after the victim was allegedly attacked by acquaintances at a residence near Tashmoo Avenue and Christopher Drive at Aamjiwnaang First Nation.