FARMINGTON —   A Southern Maine quintet, RMS 5, a part of a larger secular gospel choir, Rock My Soul, will perform in Farmington Sunday.

The concert, sponsored by the Arts Institute of Western Maine, takes place at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 1, in Nordica Auditorium at the University of Maine at Farmington.

“We’ve had this group come before but it was a few years ago,” Carolyn Drugge, AIWM member, said. “They are five from the bigger group in York.” 

They play a mix of harmony music not just gospel, she said.  They play music from negro spirituals of the 1700’s to contemporary and blues-based gospel.

Their performance will also “touch on the close harmony of Southern Gospel, the music of the Civil Rights movement, and even the eclectic pop of Paul Simon, who over the years has championed gospel music,” according to a release.

“The group has a larger mission,” Drugge said. “They use music to reach people and meet all kinds of needs.”

The larger group, Rock My Soul, was started in 2004 and rehearse in South Berwick, she said.  The group have a growing following and play to packed houses throughout the Northeast.

Along with performing, they share background stories and information about the music, according to the release.

Admission to the Sunday concert is $12 but is free for ages 18 and under and UMF students with ID.

AIWM is an  affiliate of the University of Maine at Farmington, Drugge said.

Formed around 1970, the group’s purpose is to bring arts programs to the community, she said.  They try to provide a variety of concerts and different types of programs.