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

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.”

~

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.

See Also:

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

Press Inquiries:

Interviews & High Resolution Images

Dayla Arabella Santurri

617.828.9533

dayla(a)emmanuelmusic.org

General Information:

Pat Krol, Executive Director

Emmanuel Music

617.536.3356

pat(a)emmanuelmusic.org

www.emmanuelmusic.org