Choral Conductors: Fostering Relevance and Sustainability Tim Sharp, Executive Director American Choral Directors Association

21st Century Choral Conductor as Artist in Residence The 21st century choral conductor is mindful of issues of relevance, sustainability as well as heritage.

Add the visual Just don’t point and shoot. (Choral Charisma; Tom Carter) Trends from the most recent ACDA National Conference; www.acda.org If not visual, add narration of significance.

Relevance in the Community Simple question—Why a marching band? (National Anthem); Collaboration—find out what is on the agenda of the mayor’s office, chamber of commerce, convention and visitor’s bureau, arts council, or other civic- minded organizations; work to find a choral connection—if the event has a theme, suggest a song; if there is no theme, write one (Sing Me to Heaven); Connect to dance groups, flag groups, band or orchestra, drama groups, in order to add another dimension and expanded audience to your work; Concert Series—don’t go it alone—join with theater, dance, or art; join with a church, civic, or other county or exchange—do it here, do it there.

Create Additional Options “Come and Sing” experiences for trying out the experience; We have perfected the “Long form” in choral music, but how about the short form? --a two week choir; --the lunch hour choir?

Becoming Sustainable Moving from Good to Great

Good to Great Leaders channel their ego needs away from themselves and into a larger goal of building a great organization. Leaders first ask “Who”, and then “What”—Leaders get the right people doing the right job. Leaders are brutally honest about the current reality. Leaders realize that they are the best at what they do: a) what you can be the best at; b) what you are deeply passionate about; c) what best drives your economic/resource engine. Leaders build the vision. Leaders create and affirm a core ideology and an envisioned future. Leaders move forward with the latest technology and use it for the organization’s advantage.

Build for the Future Make certain your builder’s know they are builders—put names on bricks and programs; Say “thank you” to school board members and other sustainers.

Tell your Story Keep up with alumni and TELL their stories, or let them tell their stories (YouTube) Parents tell the story; Students tell the story.

Resource the Future Create a choral endowment, money or otherwise*. *Not only about funding— 1) Legacy, 2) The things money buys, 3) Lives invested