Lukas Senn is to become Artistic Director of the Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt (BSOF) for the 2027/2028 season. He will thus succeed Roland Ott, who has led the BSOF since 2018. Lukas Senn, who was born in Switzerland, has served as Orchestra Director at the BSOF since 2024, where his responsibilities include operational management. In this role, he has already played a key part in shaping the orchestra’s strategic and organisational development.
On 29 June 2026, the city councillors of Frankfurt (Oder) followed the recommendation of a broad-based selection committee by appointing Lukas Senn. The committee comprised Claus Junghanns, the First Deputy Mayor of Frankfurt (Oder) responsible for culture; a representative from the Brandenburg Ministry of Science, Research and Culture; the designated General Music Director, Felix Mildenberger; and representatives of the orchestra.
Lukas Senn particularly impressed the selection committee with his strategic vision for the further development of the BSOF.
The focus is on further strengthening artistic development, attracting new audience groups, expanding educational and outreach work in the German-Polish border region, and embedding the orchestra more firmly in the social life of the city and region.
Born in St. Gallen in 1991, the cultural manager combines artistic expertise with extensive experience in cultural management and organisational development. Before moving to Frankfurt (Oder), he served, amongst other roles, as managing director and artistic director of the Höri Musiktage festival on Lake Constance, and worked for various cultural institutions and festivals in the fields of concert planning, production and project development.
Lukas Senn studied music theory, composition and music education at the Zurich University of the Arts and subsequently completed an Executive Master of Arts Administration at the University of Zurich, specialising in cultural management and leadership.
By appointing him as Artistic Director, the BSOF, the City of Frankfurt (Oder) and the Potsdam Ministry of Culture are placing their trust in a leader who is already familiar with the orchestra from his own experience and who, at the same time, will bring a fresh perspective. Together with Chief Music Director Felix Mildenberger, Lukas Senn aims to open up new musical worlds for audiences – including through a ‘mood-setter’ subscription series that brings together programmes ranging from film music to jazz and popular classical music.
Minister for Culture Dr Manja Schüle: “For more than three decades, the Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt has combined musical excellence with social commitment – an orchestra that not only captivates audiences on stages around the world, but also touches their hearts: through nursery and family concerts, projects for schools, exchanges with young people from Germany and Poland, and charity concerts for people in need. I am delighted that the BSOF is gaining an artistic director in Lukas Senn who, with his strategic expertise and strong communication skills, can give the orchestra fresh impetus. With him and the designated Chief Music Director, Felix Mildenberger, the State Orchestra is gaining a dynamic leadership duo that symbolises a new beginning. I am convinced that, under their leadership, the BSOF will achieve even greater visibility as a cultural institution that is both accessible and artistically excellent.”
The Mayor of Frankfurt, Dr Axel Strasser, sees the appointment of the new artistic director as a key step for the future of the Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt: “Lukas Senn is an excellent choice. He knows the BSOF well and aims to anchor it even more firmly in Frankfurt and the wider region. His work combines an awareness of the orchestra’s tradition and excellence with a clear commitment to new, including interdisciplinary, formats. This opens up innovative ways of engaging with classical music. I am certain that Mr Senn will succeed in bringing the BSOF and its concerts closer to the public and in inspiring our audience in Frankfurt (Oder) for years to come.”
Lukas Senn, the orchestra’s director and designated artistic director of the BSOF, expresses his gratitude for the trust placed in him: “The Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt is an exceptional ensemble with great influence in Frankfurt (Oder), Brandenburg and beyond. I am delighted by the trust placed in me and look forward to shaping the future of the orchestra together with the musicians, Felix Mildenberger and the entire team from the 2027/28 season onwards. It is particularly close to my heart to further deepen the orchestra’s close ties with the people of the city and the region, to inspire new audiences for orchestral music, and to bring the BSOF to life as a diverse, committed cultural institution.”
Until he takes up his post, Lukas Senn will be working alongside the current Artistic Director, Roland Ott, during this transitional period.