He is a violist who studied at the Curtis Institute of Music and after graduation went to Germany and worked with the Berlin Radio Symphony and several other orchestras as Principal Viola.
In 1994 he became Principal Viola of the Minnesota Orchestra where he has often appeared as a soloist. During this time he spent over a year as Acting Principal Viola with the San Diego Symphony before returning to his position in Minnesota. After 23 years as Principal Viola he asked if he could move back into the viola section with the Principal Viola position being passed to Rebecca Albers who has been the Assistant Principal Viola for 7 years. He retired in 2021 after 27 years.
He has also been a featured musician with the Holland Symphony Orchestra for its Celebrating a Milestone from its Classics III concert program and been a regular performer at the Aspen Music Festival.
Recordings he performed on include him featuring on Kalevi Aho: Quintet for Clarinet and Strings/Trio for Clarinet, Viola and Piano/Sonata for Two Accordions along with Music in the Gallery by the Hill House Chamber Players and Solo Settings by Charles Lazarus.
In the field of musical education he won a 2004-2005 McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians. He has been a faculty member of the University of Minnesota School of Music and has performed and taught at Texas’ Round Top Festival.
He performs here….
Sources:
- https://eu.hollandsentinel.com/story/entertainment/events/2015/04/15/violist-featured-in-celebration-concert/34766330007/
- https://slippedisc.com/2017/07/minnesota-has-new-principal-viola/
- https://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/stories/musical-chairs-welcoming-new-musicians-this-season/
- http://www.bebopified.com/2013/06/catch-them-while-you-can-evening-of.html
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/2907479-Thomas-Turner-4?type=Credits&filter_anv=0