She began her teaching career at Irmo Middle School where she built a basic chorus
ensemble into a successful and well-developed choral program. After eighteen years
at the middle school, she transferred her talents to the newly opened Dutch Fork
High School. What began in 1992 with 55 choral students has flourished into today’s
175-member program, which supports five choirs. Mrs. Turner’s choirs have performed
in Carnegie Hall on three occasions. In addition, choirs have performed in the
Disney Candlelight at Epcot and recently, the Chamber Choir participated in the ETV
Choral Project performing the Mozart Requiem, under the artistic direction of Nicholas
Smith. The Showstoppers, under Mrs. Turner’s direction have delighted audiences for
years with their outstanding musical offerings, including “Roar,” Broadway Our Way,”
and “Bernstein and Sondheim-Center Stage.” Mrs. Turner’s gift of teaching has been
recognized by awards such as: Teacher of the Year, Irmo Middle School; Outstanding
Young Women in America; Intern, South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts; Teacher
of the Year, Dutch Fork High School; Teacher of the Month, Irmo Greater Chamber of
Commerce; WOLO-TV Teacher of the Month; and multiple recognition as Who’s Who Among
America’s Teachers. She is also in great demand as a middle school clinician and
adjudicator.
Aside from teaching, Mrs. Turner has had numerous performance experiences. She has
performed with many choral groups including the Columbia Choral Society, The Guthrie
Darr Chorale and The Sandlapper Singers. Her talents have been showcased in musicals
and opera as well as the occasional radio jingle.
Mrs. Turner is a member of the Music Educator’s National Conference, American Choral
Director’s Association, and the South Carolina Music Educator’s Association.
In June, 2008 Mrs. Turner retired from her teaching position with Dutch Fork High
School. The Dutch Fork Choral Society is thrilled to provide her the opportunity
to continue to teach and enjoy choral singing. Congratulations, Margie, on your
retirement - we are so happy to have you and look forward to exciting times ahead!
Dutch Fork Choral Society starts the fall 2007 season with new leadership. Mrs. Marjorie Turner, Artistic Director, has been a music educator for 34 years. She is a graduate of Newberry College with post-graduate work from the University of South Carolina, Furman University, and Columbia College.
