Tom T. Shelton, Jr.

Tom T. Shelton, Jr. is a native of Greensboro, N.C. and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he earned both a Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Choral Conducting. He is associate professor of Sacred Music at Westminster Choir College. Focusing on children’s and youth music at Westminster, Professor Shelton teaches classes in conducting, sacred music, music education, and serves as conductor and coordinator of the Westminster Neighborhood Children’s Choir (a partnership with the Princeton Family YMCA). In addition, he is the director of Children’s and Youth Choirs at Princeton United Methodist Church and conducts two ensembles with the Princeton Girlchoir Organization.

Professor Shelton has a passion for music education in all areas: church, school and community. He taught middle school choral music in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County for 18 years. During that time he was selected Teacher of the Year for both Atkins Middle School and Kernersville Middle School. In 1999 the North Carolina Music Educators Association presented him with the North Carolina Middle School Music Teacher of the Year award.

Professor Shelton is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, currently serving as the National Past President.  Other ACDA leadership positions have included Southern Division president (2011-2012), National R&S chair for Middle School/Junior High Choirs (2007-2009) and North Carolina president (2005-2007).

Professor Shelton has conducted choral festivals and presented workshops in 21 states as well as Hong Kong and Jakarta, Indonesia. He has conducted Choral Festivals in Carnegie Hall, Honor Choirs for the Central Division ACDA and Southern Division ACDA, as well as All State Choirs in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia. Professor Shelton is the Series Director for the Music for Young Voices Series with GIA Publications and has over 50 compositions published by Choristers Guild, Colla Voce Music, G. Schirmer, Galaxy, GIA Publications, Growing in Grace Curriculum, Heritage Music Press, Hinshaw Music Company, Musicspoke.com, Santa Barbara Music Press, and Walton Music.