Tim Sharp

In bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley's autobiography, he speaks of a defining moment that signaled the process of generativity is his life. At the age of eight, at the Point Truth Primitive Baptist Church in Scott County, Virginia, Stanley's father put his hand on the young singer's shoulder and asked him to line out the hymn […]

The Arts Action Fund of Americans for the Arts, the advocacy group for the American Choral Directors Association, graded the members of the U.S. Senate on their support for the arts. The grade was based upon criteria such as voting in support of the arts, joining the Senate Arts Caucus, and more. Senators had three […]

Our long-anticipated registration for the 2011 American Choral Directors Association Chicago National Conference opens this week, and I am pleased to share all of the exciting details.   We return to Chicago, Illinois this year for the National ACDA Conference the week of March 9-12, 2011. Chicago was home to our 1999 National Conference, the […]

While there is a long list of qualities needed to be an effective leader, the following is a short list of qualities necessary to be an inspirational leader. My sources for this list are both “the literature”, including the Harvard Business Review, as well as my own observations. Please add to the list in the […]

The American Choral Directors Association cares about the choral instrument in worship. Because we care, ACDA is sponsoring a conference for musicians working with the choral instrument in worship settings. The event is called One Song, and I invite interested choral conductors, and particularly conductors new to this area, to join us in Atlanta on […]

When asked, “What are the three most important characteristics that a conductor possesses?” research tells us enthusiasm (26%), confidence (21%), and authority (17%) are the traits most highly valued by our singers.   As we enter our fall rehearsal schedules and start ramping up again with a fresh beginning, why not do an extreme makeover […]