The Niagara Symphony Association is down to three candidates for the post of music director with the withdrawal of John Morris Russell.

Russell told Symphony executive director Jack Mills in an email in February that “the future of the (Symphony) depends on a musical leader who can devote himself or herself wholeheartedly to the huge tasks at hand, and I no longer believe I can make the kind of commitment (the Symphony) will need to move forward”.

The other candidates, Russell added, are “exceptional.”

The three remaining candidates are Timothy Hankewich, Bradley Thachuk and Diane Wittry. Hankewich has already conducted a Masters concert and a POPS! program earlier this season. The remaining appearances are:

April 11, 2:30 p.m. — Thachuk conducting the final concert in the Masters Series with a program that includes Beethoven’s “Emporer” Piano Concert with David Louie and the Second Symphony of Sibelius

May 1, 7:30 p.m. and May 2, 2:30 p.m. — Wittry conducting a big band swing program called “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing” with Niagara vocalist Juliet Dunn

For tickets, call 905-688-5550 x3257.