Guest conductors who are perhaps being "auditioned" for the post, according to Cantrell, include 31-year-old Philippe Jordan, about whom Cantrell writes, "He's had more operatic than symphonic experience, but he's clearly a major up-and-comer. And having his mug on billboards wouldn't hurt ticket sales."

Claus Peter Flor, the DSO's principal guest conductor since 1999, is another contender, according to Cantrell, who also suggests that Yan Pascal Tortelier, Carlos Kalmar, and Pinchas Steinberg might be in the running.

Andrey Boreyko and Jaap van Zweden will make their Dallas Symphony debuts this season.