Chancellor's Office

Fayetteville State University Concert Choir

2008-09 finds the FSU Concert Choir under the baton of Denise Murchison Payton. Professor Payton comes to FSU after 28 years of teaching public school music with Cumberland County Schools. Payton holds degrees from NC A&T State University, Fayetteville State University and presently a doctoral candidate at Boston University. She is no stranger to the concert choir as she was the soloist of the European Tour and Vancouver, Canada, as well as performing The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and the first soloist of the Annual Martin Luther King Concert, Celebration of a Life. The choir’s first performance garnered a standing ovation during Fall Convocation, and representation in the International Folk Festival. The choir focuses on the music of the African American experience as well as Western European repertoire.

The Heritage Restoration Chorale

The Heritage Restoration Chorale is an ecumenical group of singers from the Fayetteville Cumberland County area. Their love of music and dedication to the preservation of the Negro Spiritual and other music of the Black experience has won them critical acclaim throughout this state and country. Under the artistic and disciplined direction of Denise Murchison Payton, the Chorale has performed at the historic Constitution Hall in Washington, DC and numerous other places as: Fort Washington, Maryland, Sicklerville, New Jersey, The White House (on the Ellipse), Nassau, Bahamas, Cozumel, Mexico, Lynchburg, Virginia, and numerous cities in our State.  Heritage recently represented the state of North Carolina's department of tourism Trade Show in Richmond, Virginia.  The chorale was featured on WRAL Living  the Legacy segments during Black History Month.

E.E. Smith Performance Troupe

The E.E. Smith Performance Troupe is a school based show choir from E.E. Smith High School, Fayetteville, NC.  The group was formed in 1978 by Mrs. Ruth B. Stokes as an extra curricular outlet for talented singers and dancers.  Through her efforts the group became a part of the Fine Arts Curriculum the next year. Students must audition each year and selection is based on vocal talent, dance and dramatic capabilities.  The group is commonly known as “The Smith 16”.  Over the years, the group has traveled all over North Carolina and the east coast performing for civic, social and educational events. In 1994, they were the Grand Champions at the James Madison University Show Choir Competition. The troupe is presently under the direction on Mrs. Sharon S. McNair.  She first directed the group from 1981 -2005 and is returning after a 3 year retirement.