January 26th: Robert Sims at the FMU PAC

Even from childhood, Robert Sims has been a lover of music, with a special ear, voice – and heart -- for spirituals.

Sims’ reverence of, and passion for, that most American of genres will be on display for Florence audiences Sunday Jan. 26 at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center when Sims performs as part of the university’s special Community Concert Series. Tickets for the 3 p.m. event are just $5 – the special pricing is in place for all Community Concert Series events – and Sims will be accompanied by Ann Rodgers Chandler of Lake City. Chandler performed with Sims last year when he appeared at the Arts International Festival.

Sims, a Chicago native, began playing the piano by ear before he began lessons at about age 12. With an audience of one – his mother – Sims would play what he heard his neighbor render on her piano. Later, he infused his own adaptation of spiritual songs.

Sims says there is something deep and communal about spirituals that spoke to him at an early age, and still speaks to him today.

“With gospel, you know who the composers are,” says Sims. “Spirituals are the Southern sacred folk songs created and sung by African American slaves.”

No one knows who created spirituals, but they have assumed a position of collective ownership by the whole community, he adds.

For his concert at the Performing Arts Center, Sims will present songs illustrating the lifecycle of Christ and spirituals associated with the Underground Railroad escape. A Sims’ favorite is the call and response song, “Is There Anybody Here Who Loves My Jesus?” Sims says he desires to introduce attendees to new melodies through the music of the past.

“I hope they take a journey with me through music, which can have different meanings for all of us,” Sims says. “There is something about this genre of music that propels one to go forward – a vehicle of hope.”

Sims was reared in Chicago and Southern California, He was educated at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, SUNY Binghamton, Northwestern University and Music Academy of the West.

In 2005, Sims made his recital debut at Carnegie Hall and was invited by Jessye Norman to participate in “Honor! A Celebration of the African American Cultural Legacy” in March of 2009. He recently appeared with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and made his debut in the United Kingdom with the Gibraltar Philharmonic. He has performed in concert at New York’s Lincoln Center, at the Smithsonian Institution, and as part of the Ravinia, Chautauqua, Savannah, Grant Park, and Big Arts summer music festivals. He has also performed at the Latour de France International Music Festival, and the celebrated American Church in Paris. Under the auspices of Canti Classics, Community Concerts and Live On Stage Series, Sims has performed more than 150 recitals throughout the United States.

Robert has appeared several times in performance on the Hour of Power from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, which is broadcast internationally, and was the focus of a Public Broadcasting Service special Artbeat Chicago. He has toured nationally in the ensemble Three Generations, a celebration of American spirituals and folk songs with renowned artists George Shirley, the late William Warfield and Benjamin Matthews. Recently, he debuted with Simon Estes and Jubilant Sykes in the trio Simon, Sykes & Sims, singing spirituals and American songs.



Sims’ artistry is highlighted on four compact discs produced by Canti Classics: Soul of a Singer, Sims Sings Copland and Spirituals, In The Spirit, and Three Generations. He is also featured as a guest artist on two recordings with the Moses Hogan Chorale: Deep River, and Gotta Home in Dat Rock.