From A Donor’s Perspective…
Robert Sims, baritone
Sponsor of the Robert Sims Spiritual Prize
Emerging from a long continuum of musical creativity, the African American spiritual is a distinctive genre in that it is a uniquely American musical tradition. While the combination of African enslavement and Protestant Christianity existed in many other geographical locations, it was only in the United States that spiritual developed. It is from this genre that other important African-derived musical traditions sprang including the blues, jazz, gospel music, rhythm and blues and other important expressions.
It was the likes of musical pioneers like, Harry T. Burleigh, Roland Hayes, and Paul Robeson, who established an art music tradition for the genre through their performances, compositions and arrangements. Their efforts began yet another tradition which continues today. African American concert vocalists including Dorothy Maynor, Todd Duncan, Inex Matthews, William Warfield, Robert McFerrin, Shirley Verrett, Florence Quivar, Jessye Norman, and Benjamin Matthews are among many great interpreters of the art form. They have contributed to it becoming recognized along with German lieder, French melodie, and other art song traditions from Italy, Russia, and Spain.
My interest in African American spirituals was inspired by my high school music teacher, Dr. Lena McLin. I learned many spirituals sitting next to her as she composed and arranged at the piano. It is my hope that young musicians will explore this vast repertoire, and not just sing the most popular twenty-five spirituals known by many. Voice students should approach this music with the same reverence and seriousness that they would an opera aria or art song by a European composer.
I was privileged to witness Benjamin Matthews and William Warfield give full spiritual recitals in the 1990’s and between 1999 and 2002, was honored to joined them in concert as a part of an ensemble, “Three Generations” (a trio singing spirituals).
The Robert Sims Spiritual Award represents perpetuation of a long and proud tradition. I am honored and humbled to make this possible.
– Robert Sims
(www.robertsims.com/biography.php)
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