Dr. Stuart Sharp, Professor Emeritus of Music at Hope College, passed away Friday, Aug. 1, from complications arising from a rapid-onset of leukemia whose symptoms appeared only days ago.
Dr. Sharp has been a beloved member of the music faculty since 1975, teaching voice and music history, and serving twice as chair of the college's Department of Music. He retired in 2005. In retirement he maintained a voice studio and taught the French Diction class at the college.
Dr. Sharp graduated from Bucknell University, received the Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan and was awarded his doctorate at the University of Kentucky in music performance and musicology. Prior to joining the Hope faculty he taught at Georgetown College in Kentucky.
Dr. Sharp's scholarly pursuits were in the areas of nineteenth-century French opera and in musical aesthetics.
His performance credits included work in opera, chamber music and oratorio. He began the college's annual Christmas Madrigal Dinner, presented by the Collegium Musicum, which he directed.
For 20 years, he was on the Advisory Board of the Great Lakes Colleges Association New York Arts Program. He was active in professional organizations serving as president of the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, chair of the Music Section of the Michigan Academy of Arts, Science and Letters, and a board member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Dr. Sharp is survived by his wife of 24 years, Linda; along with his sister, Margaret Bausback (Allan); and children, Stuart and Isabelle Sharp, Craig Sharp and Michele Ferenchick, Mark Sharp and Jennifer Theiss-Sharp, Megan Sharp and Jonathan Schakel, Chris and Sara Talsma, and Stephanie and Andy Bruno. He has 13 grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Holland on Monday, Aug. 4 at 3 p.m., followed by a reception at the church with the family.