Career
A contemporary of John Blow and Henry Purcell, he is best remembered for his verse anthems, of which over forty survive. In 1666 his voice broke, but the year after he became master of the choristers at Lincoln Cathedral. His career as a court singer continued to prosper, and he sang in works by Blow and Purcell, including the solo alto parts in the Street Cecilia"s Day performances of 1687 (ode by G B Draghi), 1692 (ode by Henry Purcell), and 1695 (ode by John Blow).
An appointment as vicar-choral of Street Paul"s Cathedral (1687) led to another as lay vicar of the choir of Westminster Abbey (1699).
After 1696 he was normally referred to as "Doctor Turner", having been granted an honorary degree from Cambridge University in June of that year.