Sharp Notes Tim Sharp's Blog

The choral conductor by definition has stepped into a highly visible
position of leadership. A worthy leader is not satisfied with doing only
good work--it is our desire to move from good to great. In Jim Collins'
writing on moving good organizations to great organizations, he offers
key ideas for moving in this direction.

• Leaders channel their ego needs away from themselves and
into a larger goal of building a great organization.

As one of my primary life and career mentors retired and moved to a
location closer to children and grandchildren, this giant in my career
made a point of sending some of the physical reminders of his work and
craft to his protégés. It was a personal and extraordinarily meaningful
gesture on his part. The personal items from his life of work arrived
without a note of explanation, or even a signature--none was needed. The
message was clear and self-apparent. My mentor knew I would know the
meaning of his gift and symbol, and he knew I had no practical need for
it.

During this century of rampant causefusion, as entire industries such as banking, energy, communication, transportation, entertainment, health care, and virtually every segment attempts to come to grips with the changes taking place in the world, choral directors could be lulled into some sort of false security about our area of work.  After all, Petrucci could return tomorrow, and, in effect, be able to still use the same choral music delivery technology he created in 1501. He and Guttenberg would be amazed at every technology other than their own.

Happy New Choral Year to the membership of the American Choral Directors Association! As you think about new starts this year, I will share some lessons that I have drawn from one of my heroes that I use to help me in the leadership and the managerial aspects of my work.

In February of 2009, I participated in a Conducting Residency for the Lima City Schools of Lima, OH. As "Gleeks" know, Lima is the fictional home of "Glee." Here is some reality from Lima as elementary students learn what it means to be a conductor through their study of Vivaldi and his "Gloria."