It has been announced that Bramwell Tovey is to become the new principal conductor at the BBC Concert Orchestra.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra maestro will take over from Keith Lockhart in January 2018. He will also become the newly appointed Director Emeritus of the VSO in July, extending his connection with the Canadian orchestra that started in 2000.

Exceptional musicians

In a statement about his new post, he said: "It is a great pleasure to accept the BBC's invitation to join the BBC Concert Orchestra as Principal Conductor.

The orchestra is a wonderful ensemble of exceptional musicians whose focus is devoted to sharing the art and spirit of music with its diverse audience.

The activities in the field of music education, its commitment to contemporary music and the work of composer-in-residence Dobrinka Tabakova are all of particular interest to me. I am very excited about leading them in the years ahead."

Special edition

His first performance with the orchestra will be on a special edition of BBC Radio 3's 'In Tune', broadcast live from the orchestra's base in Watford on November 30th. The programme will include Leonard Bernstein's 'Candide Overture' and his own composition, 'Lincoln Tunnel Cabaret' with trombonist Peter Moore.

The following evening, he will conduct the orchestra in a recording to be broadcast on December 1, BBC Radio 2's 'Friday Night is Music Night'.

It is understood the appointment will see him work with the orchestra for five years, including a Radio 3 concert at Watford Colosseum in February 2018, before leading performances in 2018-19 season at Southbank Centre.

As well as artistic programming, he will take a leading role in the BBC Concert Orchestra's learning and education activities, including mentoring emerging conductors and orchestral players.

The activities in the field of music education, its commitment to contemporary music and the work of composer-in-residence Dobrinka Tabakova are all of particular interest to meBramwell Tovey

Thrilled

Andrew Connolly, General Manager of the BBC Concert Orchestra, said in a statement: "I am thrilled that Bramwell has accepted our invitation to become the BBC Concert Orchestra's eighth Principal Conductor.

This is great news for the orchestra and also our audiences, as I know they will be enthralled by his superb musicianship and warm to the wit and charisma he brings to the stage.

We are hugely excited to be beginning this new journey under his direction in the New Year."