Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra Appoints Interim Principal Conductor

Candian conductor Tania Miller will become Interim Principal Conductor for the Rhode Island (RI) Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School, effective immediately. She will succeed Bramwell Tovey, who passed away last month at age 69.

In her new position, Miller will lead three concerts: October’s season opener featuring cellist Sterling Elliott, May’s season finale presentation of Verdi’s Requiem, and a January performance of Dvorak’s 8th Symphony with the RI Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Additionally, she'll help plan the orchestra’s 23-24 season, work with students from the Music School, and engage with audiences, donors, and community partners throughout the season.

Previously, Mill was Music Director of Canada’s Victoria Symphony for 14 seasons and was named Music Director Emerita. She first appeared with the RI Phil in January of 2019 and most recently appeared at the 2022 Annual Gala Concert.

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Miller received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Royal Roads University, and an Honorary Fellowship Diploma from Canada’s Royal Conservatory of Music. She was also the recipient of the 2017 Friends of Canadian Music award from the Canadian League of Composers.

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2022-23 season will be dedicated to the memory of Bramwell Tovey and a memorial fund will be established in his name to support the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School.

In other concerts that Tovey was supposed to lead, Kensho Watanabe and Sascha Goetzel will step in. Leonard Slatkin will lead Renée Fleming in the 2023 Annual Gala Concert on June 3, 2023.