Kenneth Turner
Kenneth Turner is the Principal Horn in the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra. He retired from a highly successful career as a South Carolina music educator, and now is enjoying a surging horn performance career. He has performed with the SCPO since 1992, and he won the Principal Horn position in 2017. He lives in the Charleston area, and in addition to performing with the SCPO, is in constant demand as a Hornist with The Charleston Symphony, the North Charleston Pops, The Aiken Symphony, The Palmetto Concert Band, and many others. In addition, he receives consistent invitations throughout the Southeast as a horn and conducting clinician, and also as a marching band show designer.
A true homegrown talent, Turner is a product of South Carolina public schools. He grew up in Sumter, SC and graduated from Sumter High School. He received a Bachelor of Music Education Degree with a Performance Certificate and a Master of Music Education Degree from the University of South Carolina. He studied horn at USC with Robert Pruzin, and wind conducting from Dr. William J. Moody and James K. Copenhaver. Turner was a USC Concerto-Aria Winner.
While serving as a member of the SCPO horn section, and eventually as Principal Horn, Turner also had an incredibly successful career as a South Carolina band director, serving several public schools in the Midlands and the Lowcountry of SC. His most recent music education appointment was as the Director of Bands at The Charleston School of the Arts High School until his retirement in 2022. During his 30-year music education career, bands under his direction won numerous Grand Championships in marching band competitions, including five State Marching Band Championships and thirteen Lower-State Marching Band Championships. His bands earned consistent Superior Ratings at the SCBDA State Concert and Jazz Performance Assessments. His bands performed on the national stage at events such as the prestigious Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago, and the Bands of America Grand Nationals in Indianapolis. His symphonic bands were a featured performance ensemble at the State Music Educators Convention on five occasions. Turner was honored as the 2014-15 River Bluff High School Teacher of the Year. He also was a recipient of the SBO Magazine’s “50 Directors that Make a Difference” Award, and the Band World Magazine’s Legion of Honor.
He is married to Leah Turner, Real Estate agent with Carolina One Realty in Charleston, SC. They have three children, Carol, Hannah, Grant, and twin granddaughters, Sienna Mar and Ana Luna.