Discipline: Music Composition

Robert Turner

Discipline: Music Composition
Region: Winnipeg, CANADA
MacDowell Fellowships: 1987
Robert Turner (1920-2012) was a Canadian composer, radio producer, and music educator. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in music from McGill University in 1943. Turner worked as a CBC Vancouver music producer 1952-1968, where his responsibilities included the broadcasts of the CBC Vancouver Chamber Orchestra. He taught at the University of British Columbia 1955-1957, at Acadia University 1968-1969, and at the University of Manitoba 1969-1985. He was appointed professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba upon his retirement in 1985. Among his works are two operas: The Brideship (1967) and Vile Shadows (1983). Turner was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2002.

Studios

Sprague-Smith

Robert Turner worked in the Sprague-Smith studio.

In January of 1976, the original Sprague-Smith Studio — built in 1915–1916 and funded by music students of Mrs. Charles Sprague-Smith of the Veltin School — was destroyed by fire. Redesigned by William Gnade, Sr., a Peterborough builder, the fieldstone structure was rebuilt the same year from the foundation up, reusing the original fieldstone. A few…

Learn more