Conductor Bramwell Tovey Receives Two New Honours

Vancouver composer, conductor, and pianist Bramwell Tovey has been inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame along with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as announced by Premier Christy Clark and Vancouver City Councillor Elizabeth Ball Saturday night. Tovey will receive an engraved panel on the Granville Street Star Walk.

The announcement was made at the launch of the 95th season of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and followed the news that Tovey was named recipient of the 2013 Friends of Canadian Music Award, presented by the Canadian League of Composers (CLC) and the Canadian Music Centre (CMC). 2013 Friends of Canadian Music Award was presented to Tovey on Monday night. 

Juror Adam Sherkin, associate with the CMC, commented on Tovey's candidacy: 

“Throughout his thirty years as conductor and composer in this country, Bramwell Tovey has proven an unwavering leader, mentor, commissioner, and tireless public advocate for the Canadian musical community both at home and abroad. His impressive commissioning of Canadian composers, his pioneering work in the creation of the Winnipeg New Music Festival, his ongoing nurturing of young Canadian talent and his continued mandate to develop and disseminate Canadian music at a world class level all make him an ideal and most deserving candidate for the Friends of Canadian Music Award in the year 2013.”

2013 marks an impressive year for the English-born Vancouver-based conductor who was named to the Order of Canada earlier in the year. Tovey is entering his 14th season as music director of the VSO.