Chris Sharp is a professional musician, composer/arranger and educator.  With advanced degrees from both the University of Florida and the University of Miami, he holds a Ph.D. in Composition with a concentration in conducting and wind band literature.  He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors’ National Association, the Florida Bandmasters’ Association, the Florida Music Educators’ Association, the Jazz Educators’ Network, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Kappa Kappa Psi.

 

Dr. Sharp began his career as a full-time musician, bandleader and music arranger/orchestrator for the Walt Disney World Company. While at Disney, Dr. Sharp led and performed in atmosphere entertainment groups and also worked in show development and administration.  He has written over 400 musical arrangements for Walt Disney Creative Services for groups ranging from small combos to full symphony orchestras.  He has written for countless recording sessions producing music for convention shows, character shows, parade tracks, target-market concerts, fireworks shows and national television broadcasts.  His music is heard in the Disney parks worldwide. 

 

As a commercial arranger/orchestrator, Dr. Sharp has also written for several other high-profile clients including SeaWorld, Universal Studios, the Boston Pops, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, Symphony Pops Music, Inc., the Dallas Brass and several service bands including the famed USAF Airmen of Note.

 

For the past several years Dr. Sharp has worked as a music educator.  He has taught music at every level of education from 4th grade up through college level.  He has served as Director of Bands at several colleges and is in high demand as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator.  Currently, he is serving as Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia.  He has judged for numerous organizations including the Florida Bandmasters’ Assn., Heritage Music Festivals, the Great Southern Music Festival, the All-American Music Festival, ISSMA, MusicFest Orlando, Music In the Parks, Bands of America and Drum Corps International.

 

Since 2002, Dr. Sharp has been writing concert band, jazz band, marching band, string orchestra and chamber music for the scholastic market.  He currently has over 200 published works available through The FJH Music Company, Inc, Alfred Publications, Jalen/Matrix Publishing and several others.  He has over 100 pieces listed in the catalog of J.W. Pepper, the world’s largest distributor of printed music.  His music has been widely performed, including annual appearances at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago every year since 2002.

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Contact Chris at chris@csharpmusic.net

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