Robert Franz (conductor)

For other people with a similar name, see Robert Franz, Robert Franz Schmidt, and Robert Franz Curry.

Robert Franz
Born
Robert John Franz Jr.

(1968-03-10)March 10, 1968
Kingston, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 2, 2025(2025-09-02) (aged 57)
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Alma materUniversity of North Carolina School of the Arts (BMus) (MMus)
Occupations
  • Conductor
  • music director
  • artistic director
Years active1997–2025
EmployerWindsor Symphony Orchestra (2013–2025)
Spouse
Brandon Atkins
​
(m. 2014)​
Children3

Robert John Franz Jr. (March 10, 1968 – September 2, 2025) was a Canadian conductor.[1][2]

Life and work

Franz was born on March 10, 1968 in Kingston, New York.[3][4] He obtained a bachelor of music degree in oboe performance and master of music degree in conducting, both from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts School of Music.[5]

Franz started his career in 1997, as associate conductor of the Louisville Orchestra.[6] He held the titles of music director of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra,[7] artistic director of the Boise Baroque Orchestra,[8] and music director of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra, among others.[5]

Franz married Brandon Atkins, an epidemiologist, in November 2014, and they had three daughters.[2][3][7] He died in Windsor, Ontario on September 2, 2025, at the age of 57, after suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma.[9][4]

References

  1. ^ Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for 1994: Public witnesses for arts programs. United States Congress House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of the Interior and Related Agencies. United States Government Publishing Office. 1993. p. 700. ISBN 978-0-16-041024-6.
  2. ^ a b Wilhelm, Trevor (September 3, 2025). "Obit: 'You fought valiantly' — Windsor Symphony Orchestra maestro dies after cancer battle". Windsor Star. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Maestro Robert Franz 1968–2025". Windsor Symphony Orchestra. Elev8 Web Studio. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Robert Franz". Families First. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Robert Franz". University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  6. ^ "Robert Franz, conductor". Winston-Salem Symphony. July 25, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Remembering Maestro Robert Franz". Windsor Symphony Orchestra. Elev8 Web Studio. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  8. ^ "Robert Franz". Idaho Orchestra Institute. November 28, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  9. ^ "Robert Franz, the longtime face of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, has died". CBC News. September 3, 2025. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
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