Harold E. Sims, Sr. - Producer
Harold was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, and started playing the guitar at the age of nine. He joined his first band at the age of ten. Harold was excited about all of the instruments in the band, so he taught himself to play them. He started with the guitar, then the bass guitar, and moved on to the drum set, piano, trombone, and alto saxophone to name a few.
By the time Harold graduated from Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, he had performed with many professional groups; and became known for his skills as a composer and arranger. After the early days of learning and playing with different recording groups, he began to understand that his gift was something given to him for a greater purpose. The church was the other training ground. Going to church was not an option. Laura Sims, his mother, insisted, and as a result, Harold developed a love for choir music and the hymns of the church. At the tender age of 13, Harold formed and directed the first band of the Freedom Choir of Philadelphia at the historic Southern Christian Leadership Conference Annual Convention in Atlanta, GA in 1969. They ministered before a crowded Morehouse College auditorium filled with civil rights leaders and dignitaries from around the country, and they received a standing ovation.
Harold received his music training at the U.S. Navy School of Music and the U.S. Army Band program. Harold attended Morgan State University. He majored in voice and percussion and studied choral conducting under the late Dr. Nathan Carter.
Harold is currently the Minister of Music at Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church, Annapolis, MD. He has been the Minister of Music at the following churches: New Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.; Calvary Chapel Church, Ft. Meade, MD; St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C.; St. Marks U.M. Church, Laurel, MD.
Harold is currently the choir director at Cecil Memorial U.M.C. He has been the choir director at the following churches; Christ U.M. Church Aquisco, MD; Glenarden Church of God, Glenarden, MD; Mt. Moriah A.M.E. Church, Annapolis, MD and Franklin U.M. Church, Churchton, MD.
Harold has been a consultant for the Washington, D.C. Public School System. He has been and instructor at the Naval Academy and has performed at Carnegie Hall. Harold is a member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America and is on the board of directors DiVine Ministries, Inc.