I have known Sheldon since 1994. He has that ineffable thing in his person that makes people respect him, like him, and want to work with him.
Sheldon is well-versed in all of the Anglican canon of standard choral music, ancient and modern. He is historian, teacher and trendsetter. He is also a remarkably diverse and adaptable musician. He became the music director of our First Friday monthly worship service in the early 2000s. For that, he played, assembled other musicians, composed, and planned music in a “contemporary” mode for a liturgy that strove to offer the finest in singing, classic dance, and conveying the Word of God in a manner not seen in the Cathedral on a Sunday morning.
When I say “contemporary” I certainly don’t mean anything like much of the theologically-deficient treacle that masquerades as contemporary Christian music. Sheldon holds himself and his colleagues to the highest standards of taste, both in the music performed, the quality of performance, and the theology of the texts.
Sheldon is intelligent, innovative, and inventive. All of these qualities serve him beautifully as he serves God, his fellow parishioners, musicians, students, friends….and the music.
Dr. Michael Velting Canon for MusicVelting / Organist and Choirmaster Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville, Tennessee
Ground Support
