ALASTAIR WILLIS will step down as music director of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra (Bloomington and Springfield, Ill.) at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season. Due to his international schedule of guest conducting Willis has requested early release from a five-year ISO contract signed in June 2012, and the board has honored his request. It has established a search committee to identify his successor, and plans to have music director candidates conduct the orchestra during the 2016-17 season.    

Posted July 28, 2015