Tovey named R.I. Philharmonic Orchestra & Musical School artistic adviser

PROVIDENCE – Nationally-acclaimed conductor, composer and pianist Bramwell Tovey has been named the artistic adviser, a newly expanded role within the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School, on Thursday.

David Beauchesne, the 74-year-old group’s executive director, said he is “thrilled and excited” by Tovey’s appointment.

“He is a true and multifaceted artist—a brilliant conductor, composer and soloist—with unique experience in the creation of a community music school connected to an orchestra,” he added in prepared remarks.

Tovey, who has twice previously conducted the ensemble, said he is “delighted to accept the position,” in a statement Tovey said he “look[s] forward to joining the Orchestra as it celebrates 75 years of music-making in 2019.”

- Advertisement -

He is also impressed by the connection between the orchestral body and the music school calling it a “model … unique in the United States.”

Tovey will succeed Larry Rachleff who served as music director for the organization for more than 20 years. Rachleff ‘s final concert with the Rhode Island Philharmonic was in May 2017. He stepped down to pursue his career as the Walter Kris Hubert Professor of Orchestral Conducting at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Where Rachleff solely focused on the orchestra, Tovey’s position builds on that of his predecessor with the addition master class instruction in the music school.

In 2017, Tovey was appointed to the faculty of the Boston University School of Music as its director of orchestral and conducting studies. Prior that role, he helped found the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music in Vancouver, Canada and served for 18 years as its music director.

He conceived and championed the VSO’s School of Music, which opened in 2011 with Tovey in the role of artistic adviser. The VSO School has grown rapidly, increasing the orchestra’s investment in education and its engagement with the community.

Recognition of Tovey’s talent include the 2007 Grammy for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with Orchestra as well as the 2003 Juno award for Best Classical Composition.

His first concerts conducting the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will be the Amica Rush Hour concert on Friday, Oct. 19 and the TACO Classical concert on Saturday, Oct. 20.

Both will take place at The VETS in Providence.

Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.