Emmanuel Music in the News

For Immediate Release
March 2, 2010

Ryan Turner Appointed Second Artistic Director of Emmanuel Music and Music Director of Emmanuel Church 

March 2, 2010 - Boston, Massachusetts

Emmanuel Music and Emmanuel Church announced today the appointment of Ryan Turner as the new Artistic Director of Emmanuel Music and Music Director of Emmanuel Church. Turner succeeds Emmanuel Music’s founding Artistic Director Craig Smith, who died in 2007; John Harbison has served as acting Artistic/Music Director since then.

Turner officially takes up the position in September 2010, but he has already begun to work on concert plans and cantata schedules for his inaugural season.  As well as conducting and developing concert programs, Turner will work closely with the Emmanuel Music organization to develop long-range artistic plans. Mr. Turner will simultaneously become the Music Director of Emmanuel Church, working with the Rector and the Lay Leadership.

Ryan Turner, who brings his personal experience as a conductor, singer, educator and administrator to the position, looks forward to the challenge. “I am thrilled to assume the post and to take on the responsibility of maintaining and enhancing the high level of performance developed by Craig Smith and John Harbison along with Michael Beattie, Associate Conductor.  The excellent musicians of Emmanuel Music perform with a highly contagious freshness and ardor, and I will do everything to ensure that these ripples of enthusiasm continuously inspire our audiences."

The announcement concludes an extensive search led by a committee of Emmanuel Music Board members, Emmanuel Church representatives, and Emmanuel musicians.

Emmanuel Music Board President Joan Nordell commented, “Ryan is a consummate musician who will build on the work of his mentors Craig Smith and John Harbison to create a wonderful new era for Emmanuel Music.”

Emmanuel Church Rector-Elect, Pamela L. Werntz stated, “I am very much looking forward to Ryan's leadership in congregational development, growth and pastoral ministry through music to support the mission of the Church. He will lead the Church's music program confidently in new directions while building on the past musical traditions so valued by our community.” 

"Ryan Turner, in addition to being an amazingly gifted young conductor, has in his years with Emmanuel Music developed a special understanding for the ensemble’s inner dynamic and a stirring vision of its future, said Acting Artistic Director John Harbison.  “He will bring imagination and daring to a musical institution poised to achieve great things.”

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Raised in Texas and educated at Southern Methodist University, Turner arrived in Boston in 1995 to study for a Masters Degree at Boston Conservatory.  Since then he has consistently demonstrated his excellence and versatility. Now 37, Turner is currently in his ninth year as Music Director of the Concord Chorale and Chamber Orchestra and in his fourth year at Phillips Exeter Academy as Director of Choral Activities. In 2009 he was the Acting Director of the SongFest Bach Institute in California that was founded by Craig Smith.

Since 1997, Turner has been a member of the Emmanuel Music Chorus, a tenor soloist and, since 2006, a regular guest conductor. During his tenure he has conducted repertoire that includes Bach, Palestrina, Primosch, Schein and Schütz.

As a singer, Mr. Turner has maintained an active solo career in oratorio, recital and opera. Highlights include Handel L’Allegro with the Mark Morris Dance Group, six seasons at the Carmel Bach Festival, Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte with Opera Aperta conducted by Craig Smith and over 40 Bach cantatas with Emmanuel Music. Additionally, Turner made his Carnegie Hall debut in a performance of Handel’s Messiah in December.

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See Also:

The Boston Globe: Emmanuel Music announces new artistic leader (read more ...)

 

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Press Inquiries:
Interviews & High Resolution Images
Dayla Arabella Santurri
617.828.9533
dayla@emmanuelmusic.org

 

General Information:
Pat Krol, Executive Director
Emmanuel Music
617.536.3356
pat@emmanuelmusic.org
www.emmanuelmusic.org