Dr. Turner Gray is a tubist, conductor, and educator from Kingsland, GA. Before moving to Philadelphia, Turner was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the University of Wisconsin – Madison Band program where he worked with the Varsity and Concert Band programs. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Tuba Performance with a minor in Wind Conducting.
As an active tuba player, Turner has performed with groups such as the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, Madison Brass Band, the Aurora Brass Quintet, the Philadelphia Wind Symphony, and the Park Street Tuba/Euphonium Quartet. Recently, Turner won the 2nd Bb Bass audition for the 3-time National Championship winning group, the Atlantic Brass Band. With a love for chamber music, Turner has been a leader in bringing to life new works for the tuba and euphonium including “Why Not?” for Tuba, Piano, and Drum Set by JaKobe Henry, “Tuba Suite” by Joy Zickau, and “Escape Velocity” for flexible trio and heavy metal ensemble by Evan Zegiel.
As a soloist, Turner has performed recitals at the South-Central Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference (SCRTEC), the Great Plains Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference (GPRTEC), and the Northwest Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference (NWRTEC). While at GPRTEC, Turner collaborated with composer and euphonium player Dr. Ian Lester during Dr. Lester’s presentation on his “Twelve New Solos for the Student Tubist.” Recently at NWRTEC, Turner served as guest conductor for the Northwest Collective Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, a group comprised of tuba and euphonium professors based in the northwest. Turner has also performed at the International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC) and served as an adjudicator for the Susan Slaughter Solo Competitions.
In the past, Turner has maintained a robust private teaching studio of low brass students both virtually and in person. He currently is responsible for leading the Pep Band at La Salle University, a group that performs at all athletic events and special events on and around campus. At La Salle, Turner teaches MUS 152 (Pep Band) and Jazz Band, all while working towards bringing music to the students and community members of La Salle University. If you are interested in joining the band, please reach out to him via email at grayt@lasalle.edu.
