Myra Brooks Turner facts for kids

Myra Brooks Turner (born January 13, 1936 – died October 7, 2017) was a talented American musician. She was a composer, music teacher, and writer. Myra wrote music for TV commercials, plays, piano, and singers.

Early Life and Music Education

Myra Brooks was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on January 13, 1936. Her parents were Paul D. and Lillie R. Brooks. She started learning music at a young age. When she was 12, she took lessons at the famous Juilliard School of Music. Later, Myra went to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She earned two degrees in music there. She also studied piano with a teacher named Paul Vellucci. In 1960, she married Ronald Joseph Turner. They had three daughters: Stacy, Cheryl, and Teresa.

Teaching and Music Businesses

Myra Brooks Turner taught music at several colleges. She taught at Mercer University in Georgia. She also taught at Maryville College of Performing Arts in Tennessee. Another place she taught was the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She also ran two of her own businesses. One was called MBT Productions. The other was the Myra Brooks Turner Studio of Music in Knoxville. Through her studio, she led two music groups. These were called the Beethoven Society and the Chopin Society. She helped these groups put on seven concerts every year.

Composing and Writing

Myra Brooks Turner directed many church choirs over the years. From 1967 to 1969, she was the main composer for the Birmingham Children's Theatre in Alabama. She also wrote music for TV commercials. She even directed recording sessions for music. She was the president of the Camelot Fine Arts Club. She received an important award. The Tennessee Arts Commission gave her an Award of Merit. This award recognized her for helping to grow the arts in Tennessee. Myra also wrote books and articles. She spoke French very well. She published a textbook called Les Gens, Les Endroits et Les Choses. This means People, Places and Things. For several years, she wrote a column called "Composer’s Corner." This column appeared in the National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Keynotes Magazine. It included her own new music. She also wrote articles about music research. She wrote "Pupil Saver" columns for Clavier Magazine. She also edited the Texas Federation of Music Clubs Bulletin.

Her Music

Myra Brooks Turner wrote many pieces for piano and voice. She composed at least 72 different works. Her music was published by several companies. These include FJH Music Co. Inc., McLaughlin & Reilly Co., and Schaum Publications Inc.

Piano Music

• Fantasy in a minor
• Jazz Man Suite
• Man Speaks Through Music
• Musical Moods
• Praise the Lord Jesus Christ
• Waltzing Windmills

Musical Theatre

• Cinderella
• Flibberty-Gibbet
• Green Dragon
• Javoho Junction
• Make Way for Love
• Midsummer Night's Dream
• Pinocchio

Vocal Music

• Contemporary Art Song Suite (words by William Blake)
• Suddenly, My Heart Sings (art songs)

You can hear one of her pieces here: Hear Waltzing Windmills by Myra Brooks Turner