The Chicago Sinfonietta, one of America’s most diverse symphony orchestras, is transitioning to a new music director. The CS has made its mark on our culturally rich city with its loyal attention to composers and performers of color. Now, famed founder and current music director Paul Freeman will become music director emeritus, as the 21-year-old institution opens up an international search.

Paul Freeman

“We’ve actually been talking about a transition plan all the way back to 2005,” executive director Jim Hirsch told me by phone Thursday afternoon. He added that several committee members have been assembling names since last May, but would not disclose any potential successors. “As you know, over the last couple of years, maestro Freeman has been dealing with some health challenges that has made it fairly clear we needed to act on this.” Hirsch emphasized that the decision has been 100 percent mutual between Freeman and the organization.

Still, Freeman will remain active as music director for the next two years, and Hirsch says there will always be a role for the 73-year-old with the Sinfonietta as long as he desires. His conducting activity over the next two years, however, will be reduced.

The Sinfonietta plays this Sunday and Monday with Joffrey Ballet music director Leslie Dunner stepping in as guest conductor.

No word on whether there will be a reality-show talent search to discover the new leader, but I’m guessing no.