Biography
Robert Sims, the Gold Medal winner of the Enmark American Traditions Competition, has been hailed by critics for his "rich luxuriant tone", "energetic performances" and "convincing stage presence".
He is highly regarded for his "moving" and "authentic" interpretations of African American spirituals and has given recitals of spirituals throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. Mr. Sims has performed these concerts at the Smithsonian Institute, the Los Angeles African-American Museum, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, the Chicago Historical Society, the Latour de France International Music Festival in Latour, France and the American Church in Paris. He was also featured in Classical Singer Magazine highlighting his recital tours and his varied concert career.
Recently, he made his debut in Japan with the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra touring Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe and Sapparo, where his performance of Bernstein's Opening Prayer was nationally televised.
Mr. Sims was televised internationally from the Crystal Cathedral, home of The Hour of Power, and was featured on the PBS special Artbeat Chicago. Other engagements include the Chicago Sinfonietta, Symphony II, the Springfield Symphony and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. He also has performed with the Chautauqua Music Festival, Four Seasons Concerts, the Ravinia Festival, the Grant Park Music Festival, and has toured with William Warfield, George Shirley and Benjamin Matthews in Three Generations, a celebration of African-American Spirituals and Folk Songs.
The Spiritual Suite I'm a Soldier, for Baritone and Orchestra, was written for Mr. Sims by Jan Bach and Lena McLin, and was recently premiered by the performer with the Savannah Symphony Orchestra.
After winning the Friedrich Schorr Opera Award, Mr. Sims performed Copland's Old American Songs with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, and appeared in Massenet's Cendrillon, which won the National Opera America Award. He made his Goodman Theater debut under the direction of Frank Galati, and sang the role of Dr. Malatesta in Don Pasquale with Opera Carolina, and was seen in Romeo et Juliette and Die Zauberfl�te with the Tri-Cities Opera. Additional operatic credits include roles in Le Nozze di Figaro, Pagliacci, L'Elisir d'Amore and La Traviata.
Mr. Sims received his Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory, his Master's degree in Opera Theater from the State University of New York at Binghamton, an Artist Diploma from Northwestern University, and a performance certificate from the Rossini Conservatory in Italy.
In addition, Mr. Sims has received scholarships from the Rotary Club, the National Federation of Music Clubs, and the Associated Male Choruses of America.
Soul of a Singer: Robert Sims Sings African-American Folk Songs, and Sims Sings Copland are available on compact disc from Canti Records.
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