The Bramwell Tovey

Joyful Futures Fund

We are committed to continuing Bramwell's incredible legacy, through The Bramwell Tovey Joyful Futures Fund to support aspiring musicians of all ages in their musical journey

“Music is the language of our emotions"
–Bramwell Tovey

Bramwell Tovey was known to audiences and musicians the world over for his exceptional artistry and humor as a conductor, pianist and composer. To those he worked closely with, and in the communities and organizations that he committed himself to, he was also known as a visionary leader, extraordinary educator, mentor and beloved colleague and friend.

Honoring Bramwell Tovey
Principal Conductor, Artistic Director, Composer, Mentor and Friend

“Music is the language of our emotions"
–Bramwell Tovey

Bramwell Tovey was known to audiences and musicians the world over for his exceptional artistry and humor as a conductor, pianist and composer. To those he worked closely with, and in the communities and organizations that he committed himself to, he was also known as a visionary leader, extraordinary educator, mentor and beloved colleague and friend.

A consistent theme in tributes since his passing has been his ability to create and spread joy through music – in rehearsal and performance. Another has been his intense devotion to music education, and to making sure that it was accessible to all.

The last performance he conducted was with the RI Philharmonic Orchestra, on May 22, 2022, at the Orchestra & Music School’s “Joyful Futures” Gala. The event celebrated a joyful and diverse future for symphonic music in Rhode Island and beyond. Bram worked with all of us to broaden the reach of symphonic music and music education, to improve access, and to increase representation on RIPO&MS stages and classrooms. He demonstrated an intense devotion to the future of symphonic music throughout his career; from side-by-side performances of professionals and students, visits with Victoria’s Dream Project students, and master classes at the RI Philharmonic Music School, to “Inspector Tovey” concerts in Vancouver and Winnipeg and founding the VSO School of Music. He was always joyfully committed to students and gave them the same care and attention as the most famous musical celebrity.

To know Bramwell Tovey was to love him. We thank him for the time we shared, for embodying our mission of artistry and music education for all, for creating beautiful and joyful concerts, for his unwavering devotion to community, for his humor, his intense loyalty and friendship.

Bramwell Tovey Joyful Futures Fund

We are committed to continuing his legacy, and have established The Bramwell Tovey Joyful Futures Fund to support aspiring musicians of all ages in their musical journey. If you would like to make a gift in his memory to the Bramwell Tovey Joyful Futures Fund, visit donate.riphil.org/bramwell-tovey-donation.

Have Questions? Contact Laurie Johnson-Carvalho, Assistant Director of Development at ljohnson-carvalho@riphil.org or 401.248.7034.

Tovey first conducted the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra in October of 2016. His chemistry with the Orchestra, audience, organization and community was immediate.

In 2018, he succeeded Larry Rachleff, who led the RI Philharmonic Orchestra for more than two decades.

Tovey quickly put his artistic stamp on the organization, resulting in RIPO debuts for artists like Olga Kern, Yefim Bronfman, James Ehnes, Pinchas Zukerman, Amanda Forsyth and Emanuel Ax. He also demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity and to living composers, programming premieres of works by Jessie Montgomery, Gabriela Lena Frank, Florence Price, Eric Nathan, Quinn Mason and Carlos Simon, among others. Committed to strengthening the collaboration between the Orchestra and School, he featured the RI Phil Youth Orchestra side by side with RIPO on a Saturday night TACO Classical concert for the first time and invited students from the Music School’s Victoria’s Dream Project to perform on our May 2022 Gala.

We hope you enjoy revisiting the Orchestra's performance of Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations, with Bramwell leading the RI Philharmonic Orchestra in November of 2017. We also encourage you to hear Bramwell speak about the piece composer Edward Elgar.

A consistent theme in tributes since his passing has been his ability to create and spread joy through music – in rehearsal and performance. Another has been his intense devotion to music education, and to making sure that it was accessible to all.

The last performance he conducted was with the RI Philharmonic Orchestra, on May 21, 2022, at the Orchestra & Music School’s “A Joyful Future” Gala. The event celebrated a joyful and diverse future for symphonic music in Rhode Island and beyond. Bramwell worked with all of us to broaden the reach of symphonic music and music education, to improve access, and to increase representation on RIPO&MS stages and classrooms. He demonstrated an intense devotion to the future of symphonic music throughout his career; from side-by-side performances of professionals and students, visits with Victoria’s Dream Project students, and master classes at the RI Philharmonic Music School, to “Inspector Tovey” concerts in Vancouver and Winnipeg and founding the VSO School of Music. He was always joyfully committed to students and gave them the same care and attention as the most famous musical celebrity.

Bramwell Tovey Joyful Futures Fund

Tovey first conducted the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra in October of 2016. His chemistry with the Orchestra, audience, organization and community was immediate.

In 2018, he succeeded Larry Rachleff, who led the RI Philharmonic Orchestra for more than two decades.

Brawmell Tovey introduces Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations

Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations - Nimrod performed by the RI Philharmonic Orchestra - November 2017

THE STORY BEHIND: Rachmaninoff's "Symphonic Dances"

By Danielle Meath • February 11, 2025

On February 14 & 15, conductor Anna Handler and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will present BOLÉRO with pianist Awadagin Pratt.

THE STORY BEHIND: Jessie Montgomery's "Rounds"

By Danielle Meath • February 10, 2025

On February 14 & 15, conductor Anna Handler and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will present BOLÉRO with pianist Awadagin Pratt.

THE STORY BEHIND: Ravel's Boléro

By Danielle Meath • February 7, 2025

On February 14 & 15, conductor Anna Handler and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will present BOLÉRO with pianist Awadagin Pratt.

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The Rhode Island Philharmonic is funded in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and private funders. Financial support is also provided by the Providence Tourism Council.