Sing on

Hi! Let me introduce myself. My name is Amanda Sims-Groves and I LOVE TO SING! I have sung all my life--especially in church and school. I have made singing my career, whether it's me onstage singing in an opera or with an orchestra, or being in a classroom teaching young people the art and giving them the same opportunities that I had. There is no doubt that I have been blessed with a wonderful gift that I am very thankful to my Heavenly Father for and I want to share it. SING ON was inspired by a wonderful trip that I took to Europe with the Paducah (KY) Symphony Chorus under the direction of Dr. Bradley Almquist. We toured the Czech Republic and Austria and sang in big gothic cathedrals and sweet chapels in the center of small towns. We sang a mixture of European Renaissance music and American Hymns and spirituals. One of my absolute favorite songs that we performed was the Southerh Harmony Hymn 'What Wondrous Love is This,' especially the last line 'And through eternity, I'LL SING ON.' That, in a way, became my mantra for the next few years and got me through some rough spots including losing my teaching job due to budget cuts and losing my voice due to STRESS. By the grace of God, I got my voice back and I decided to 'sing on!' I contacted D. Scott Ferguson, a very dear friend from my college days who is the most talented pianist and musician that I know, and asked if he wanted to collaborate with me on this project. He helped me with several arrangements on the album, recorded several of the accompaniment tracks, but more important, he helped me create a vision for the album. I have included different hymns that I felt would appeal to a wide range of musical tastes. There is something for everyone on this recording. I have included songs that have beautiful melodies and high notes with exciting lush piano accompaniments. There are a cappella pieces where I sing duets and trios with myself. There is even a song with a steel guitar on it for the country music lover! But the one thing that all these songs have in common is that they express my joy that has been showered on me by my Heavenly Father and my amazement and thankfulness for the gift of His Son on the cross for me.