Tovey first guest-conducted the Sarasota Orchestra in the 2019-2020 season, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In August 2021, the Sarasota Orchestra announced the appointment of Tovey as its next music director, effective with the 2022-2023 season, with an initial tenure of four years. He was scheduled to take the title of music director-designate on 1 September 2021.