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The Cleveland Pops Orchestra is about to hit a big milestone: 30 years of making music that fills concert halls and radiates out into the community, touching hearts in unforgettable ways.

As the community mourns the loss of Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO) Maestro Robert Franz, special guests have stepped-up to ensure Franz’s musical vision is realized.

Franz passed away on September 2 after a battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“Robert created this entire season of music,” says WSO Board Chair, Deborah Severs. “This season is his vision. It is the music and guest artists that he knew Windsor Essex audiences would enjoy.”

As Franz was going through cancer treatment, he knew he would not have the strength to conduct the first part of the new season. He then worked with the WSO team to secure guest conductors to lead the orchestra until the end of the calendar year.

A long-time mentor of Robert’s, Carl Topilow, will be conducting the WSO’s Opening Night with Gershwin concert on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21. In addition to the talent and enthusiasm that Topilow brings to the stage, pianist extraordinaire, Kevin Cole, will perform Gershwin’s Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra.

Read all about Carl’s latest Conductor’s Workshop.

Carl Topilow has signed a three-year contract with the Firelands Symphony Orchestra, in Huron, Ohio, that will continue through the 2027-28 season.

Firelands Symphony Orchestra has locked in the orchestra's popular music director, Carl Topilow, for another three years.

Topilow, the orchestra's music director and conductor, has inked a new three-year contract to stay.

His new deal spans the orchestra's 2027-2028 season.

Cleveland is no stranger to welcoming Broadway talent, with Playhouse Square regularly hosting national tours of award-winning musicals. But on February 1, it felt like Broadway came to Severance Music Center instead.

The vocal quartet LEGACY teamed up with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra to present “Music of Motown,” a high-energy evening that was memorable in the best way. “Tonight is about having a really good time,” LEGACY founder Justin Reynolds promised the packed crowd — and the two groups certainly delivered.