On Friday, March 2, Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church hosts a concert by the Festival Singers of Florida.

The outstanding choral ensemble, made up of music teachers and performers from throughout the Sunshine State, has as its mission "to engage and inspire through impassioned singing." They have accepted an invitation to perform at the Southern Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Winston-Salem, and will share their music with other North Carolina audiences during their trip as well.

Led by artistic director Kevin Fenton, the choir performs twice each year at the First Methodist Church in Orlando, in addition to presenting concerts throughout Florida and the East Coast. Fenton serves as professor of ensembles and conducting at Florida State University, where he also directs the University Singers.

Fenton, a champion of new music, has conducted more than 20 premiere performances, including works by Jeffrey Ames, Eric Barnum and Sydney Guilliame. He has conducted choirs in more than 35 states, including 15 all-state choirs, and in 2007 he conducted the Beijing International Choral Festival Choir with China's People's Liberation Orchestra as part of China's Choral Conductor's Meeting.

The program, called "Songs of Vigor, Songs of Play," which the Festival Singers will present on March 2, features an eclectic repertoire, including music of Eric Whitacre and Rene Clausen and selections of Tarik O'Reagan's "Triptych" and Alfred Schnittke's "Requiem." Moving arrangements of Keith Jarrett, Huddie Ledbetter and Mumford & Sons are also on the program.

The Festival Singers of Florida concert at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church at 330 May St. in Southern Pines will begin at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. No admission will be charged, although donations will be accepted.