Patsy Ford Simms was first published in 1981 and has written over 300 songs for the educational and church markets with several leading publishing companies. She began writing and arranging out of necessity due to the lack of choral octavos for the junior high/middle school voice during the first decade of her teaching career. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Knoxville College, a Master of Education from the University of Louisville and a doctorate in Music Education from Columbia Pacific University. Patsy retired from teaching full time having taught 30 years in grades K-12 and at the Youth Performing Arts School. She is internationally recognized as an arranger, composer, and clinician and has been a presenter in Italy and Africa. Several commissioned works have been composed by Patsy as well as short musicals about African American History. Two of her compositions were selected for two MENC World’s Largest Concerts and she has received numerous ASCAP Special Music Awards.
