Through exceptional performance and education, we are an indispensable cultural asset within the Windsor Essex community.
MISSION
Connecting people through music.
Welcome to the Windsor Symphony Orchestra’s (WSO) 2023-2024 Impact Report. The past season was a success with new and familiar faces returning to WSO performances.
The WSO continues to be an important arts and cultural leader in the Windsor Essex community. With mainstage performances in its “home” of the Capitol Theatre, along with sharing the joy of live music at several other locations in the city and county including the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, Leamington Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre, Assumption Church, retirement homes and senior residences, and schools.
Thank you to our donors, sponsors, community partners and patrons for supporting the importance of live music in Windsor Essex. We would not be here without your support.
COVER PHOTO: WSO violinist Min Xie engages with an elementary school student.
THE WSO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2023-2024
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Deborah Severs, LLB
PRESIDENT
Jennifer McKim, LLB PAST PRESIDENT
Cynthia Swift, CA TREASURER
Susan McKee SECRETARY
Kyle Kootstra, CFA
DIRECTORS
Lynn Baker
Ana Maria Caruso WSO GUILD REPRESENTATIVE
Henry (Hank) Dupuis
Andy Gesner
Thomas MacKay
Joan Mackay (leave of absence)
Dr. Ken Montgomery, PhD
Michael Plunkett
Alycia Sennema
Greg Turner
Lee Watson
EX-OFFICIO
Robert Franz
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Patti Lauzon
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MUSICIANS’ REPRESENTATIVE
Margaret Gillie
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Eleanor Finn
Alastair Fleming
The late Joseph Huber
Barb Kuker
Kathleen McCrone
Morris Sager
Stephen Savage
The late Herb Stammler
Madelyn Weingarden & the late Arthur Weingarden
The WSO is supported by a talented team of artistic and administrative experts along with a group of talented, experienced musicians. The WSO family also includes the:
•Windsor Symphony Orchestra Chorus (WSOC)
•Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra (WSYO)
•Windsor Symphony Community Orchestra (WSCO)
•Windsor Symphony Orchestra Guild (WSOG).
43 Mainstage concert performances.
14,994
Patrons attended WSO events.
5 FREE Summer Concerts. The WSO performed outdoors in and around Windsor and Essex County.
27 Education concerts at schools throughout Windsor Essex.
9,683 Students experienced the WSO at the Capitol Theatre or their school.
1,345
Seniors saw the WSO perform at their retirement home, senior centre, or while in hospital.
Sculpture Garden, Windsor
Reaume Park, Windsor
Kings Navy Yard Park, Amherstburg
2023-2024 Season Notes
THE CELEBRATION
OF
MAESTRO’S 10TH YEAR!
The 2023-2024 season marked the 10th anniversary of Maestro Robert Franz. “Robert has brought an incredible energy to the WSO and the Windsor and Essex community.” said Board Chair Deborah Severs. “His knowledge and musical expertise have elevated the WSO, and he is an important voice in the arts community; we are excited to see the great things he will continue to bring to the WSO.”
WSO IS PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY
The WSO was honored with the Windsor Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Pillars of our Community award. “This award inspires us to continue creating community by connecting people through music,” said Maestro Franz.
STAGE WITH WSO
The WSO shared the stage with over 150 singers from Windsor and Essex County; making the Masterworks concert, Brahms’ German Requiem, one of the largest collaborations held on stage at the Capitol Theatre. This grand symphony was performed by the WSO, WSO Chorus, and members of the Windsor Classic Chorale and University of Windsor Singers.
through the presentation of the movie Maestro, a pre and post concert exhibition with the local Sho Gallery, and a unique collaboration with Art Windsor Essex (AWE) for the Earthbeat concert where AWE artists brought pieces of work to life in a visual format.
Education & Community Outreach
27
Education Concerts at schools throughout the Windsor Essex community and at the Capitol Theatre.
7
Classroom visits by the WSO, featuring Q&A’s with Maestro Robert Franz, Associate Conductor Francisco Hernández Bolaños and WSO musicians.
15
Music for Health performances at long term care homes, senior centres, and hospitals throughout the Windsor Essex community.
9,683
Students saw the Windsor Symphony Orchestra perform at their schools.
19
Performances at elementary schools took place as part of the Strings in Schools Project — a partnership between the WSO and the GECDSB.
1,345
Seniors experienced the WSO either in-person or online at their retirement homes, senior centres or while in hospital, free of charge.
The WSO, the Greater Essex County District School Board, and the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board have built a partnership with a commitment to provide a live concert to every student in kindergarten to grade 6 in their Boards over a three year period.
WSO Violinist Michèle Dumoulin answers questions from students at Frank W. Begley Public School
Robert Franz instructs music students at St. Anne's Catholic High School during one of his many "Maestro Visits."
A senior resident dances during a WSO Music for Health performance.
The Impact of Your Gifts
The WSO’s Education and Community Outreach programs are only possible because of the generous support of donors, sponsors, foundations and community leaders. These programs are fundamental to the mission and vision of the WSO.
The WSO relies on donations for approximately one-third of its annual operating revenue. Thank you to everyone who supported the orchestra through a financial gift. Without you, this work would not be possible.
WSO’s Future Fund
The WSO Future Fund is an endowment fund where gifts are invested and restricted in perpetuity to support WSO operations each season. The Future Fund is currently valued at almost $5 million with a goal of $10 million. Revenue from this fund contributed $146K to annual operations in 2023-2024.
Supporting the WSO Leaves a Lasting Impact on the Community
There are a number of ways to support the WSO including: monthly giving, gifts in honor of a loved one, sponsorship of concerts or community program, legacy giving through estate planning.
We Are in
Your Community!
The WSO is a proud member of the Windsor Essex Community and enjoys performing and connecting throughout the community each year.
A student-led initiative, musicians of the WSYO brought music education to hundreds of students at the GECDSB’s summer learning programs for the second summer.
The always-popular Family Concerts were a hit at the Capitol Theatre. These concerts are interactive and include crafts, music, and stories. Keeping tickets at only $5, the WSO makes music accessible for all.
The WSO brought their superhero-themed concert to the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre in Leamington. Costumes were encouraged!
The WSO travelled the Windsor Essex outdoors to bring free summer concerts to the community.
Lead by Maestro Robert Franz, the WSO
Downtown Windsor’s Gem –
The Capitol Theatre
A hub for arts and culture in downtown Windsor, the Capitol Theatre is a treasure for the community. Twice saved from demolition and closure thanks to community support, the Capitol is now owned by the City of Windsor. Since 2012, the WSO has been the primary tenant and manages the Theatre on behalf of the City of Windsor. As was the goal when the Capitol was first saved in the early 1990s, the Theatre continues to be an incubator for local performance and film arts.
The WSO embraces its role as Manager of the Capitol and the role of this heritage gem in the evolving history of downtown Windsor. Leveraging the Capitol Theatre to encourage and support the growth of arts and culture in the downtown is a priority in the WSO’s most recent Strategic Plan.
The Capitol Theatre is the home and primary performance venue for the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Windsor International Film Festival, 4th Wall, Arts Collective Theatre, Windsor Dance eXperience, and more.
During the 2023-2024 season, the Capitol Theatre welcomed over 27,000 guests at 90+ events, with over 214 booked days. Highlights include: Canadian Arabic Orchestra, Edmunds Towers’ The Nutcracker, Black Kids in Action, and the Kiwanis Music Fest Awards.
