PEYSON MOSS Two musical artists - pianist Peyson Moss and vocalist Jonathan Johnson - will present a concert at the First Baptist Church of Washington on Sunday, June 28, at 6 p.m.

The concert will feature wellknown songs such as "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," "The Lord's Prayer," "Fairest Lord Jesus," and a selection from Handel's Messiah entitled "Every Valley." A love offering will be taken at the conclusion of the concert.

A rising junior at Mercer University's Townsend School of Music, Johnson has played the roles of King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors by Menotti; Egisto in L'Egisto by Cavalli and has also appeared in opera scenes as Nemorino in L'Elisir d'amore by Donizetti with the Mercer University Opera.

He was recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) as a 2007 youngARTS winner in the area of classical voice and has taken first place honors at the Georgia NATS student auditions for the past five years.

JONATHAN JOHNSON Johnson is a member of the First Baptist Church of Christ in Macon where he sings regularly in the chancel choir. He is a voice student of Marie Jarriel Roberts.

Moss grew up in Lincolnton and began taking piano lessons at the age of seven. He has been a church pianist since the age of 11, won numerous piano competitions during his high school years, and continues to earn accolades with his performances.

He is currently a junior biology major at Mercer University and plans to become a Physicians Assistant.

While at Mercer, Moss has accompanied a host of vocalists from Mercer and the University of Georgia, as well as artists from Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera.

Throughout his musical career, he has accompanied school choirs, musical theatre groups, and individual soloists, and actively plays for private events such as weddings, funerals, concerts, and civic events. Moss currently serves as the accompanist at Madison Presbyterian Church in Madison.

Moss' and Johnson's joint concerts began as a result of their friendship and mutual love of music. They have known one another since the day each started freshman classes at Mercer and have performed together at various venues in Macon and for special events on Mercer's campus.

In addition, both young men are members of the Mercer Singers and the Mercer Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Student Group.

Moss accompanied Johnson recently to West Palm Beach, Florida, where Johnson sang for renowned soprano vocal coach, Virginia Zeani. Zeani led a highly successful career in Europe as a soprano opera star, and later became the Distinguished Professor of Voice at Indiana University, where she coached highly-talented singers. She currently has retired to West Palm Beach, Florida, where she coaches at her private vocal studio.

While in West Palm Beach, Moss was privileged to play the organ at the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, a mega church whose pastor Dr. James Kennedy and famed organist Diane Bish were seen on television for many years.

The Rufatti pipe organ built in 1974 has 6,600 pipes in 117 ranks and is one of the largest in the world. "That I was able to play on such an organ was a surreal experience," said Moss.

Moss and Johnson will return to West Palm Beach, Florida, in July as Johnson continues his musical tutelage.

Moss is the son of Lee and Michelle Moss and grandson of Larry and Louise Rice, the late Homer and Leverte Moss, and Mrs. Myrtle Flint and the late Mitchell Flint, all of Lincolnton.