William "Billy" Simms, instructor of guitar at the Mount, played an integral part on an album that won a 2019 Grammy Award on February 10. The classical music Best Solo Vocal Album award went to Apollo's Fire, an internationally renowned period instrument ensemble, for Songs of Orpheus, conducted by Jeannette Sorrell and featuring tenor Karim Sulayman and an ensemble that included Simms.
Simms, an early music specialist and a virtuoso on the classical guitar, lute and theorbo, appears regularly with Apollo's Fire. "The absolutely essential role of the lute, guitar, and theorbo in the performance of this type of music can only be realized by musicians who possess the highest level of expertise and artistry. Clearly that description fits Billy," said Andrew B. Rosenfeld, DMA, professor of music and chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. "This honor speaks volumes about Billy's achievement, as well as the quality of the musicians we seek to provide instruction to our students." Simms has been a guitar instructor at the Mount for more than 20 years.
The album features 17th-century songs on the Orpheus legend by Monteverdi, Caccini, Landi, and d’India, as well as instrumental music by Castello and Cima. In Karim Sulayman's acceptance speech, Simms is among the people he thanks for their contributions to the album.