Navy Sea Chanters coming to Hagerstown

HAGERSTOWN >> One of the most popular area performance groups will be coming to Hagerstown Community College Aug. 8.

The U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters will appear at 6:15 p.m. in HCC's Alumni Amphitheater, 11400 Robinsood Drive, as part of the annual Red, White, and Blue Summer Concert series.

The ensemble, some 20 voices strong, performs choral arrangements of music from traditional sea chants to patriotic favorites, opera selections, and Broadway show tunes, as well as works written especially for them by contemporary composers.

The official chorus of the U.S. Navy, the vocal group performs for many major functions, including those for the president, vice president, and congress, as well as for the military, foreign dignitaries and other officials.

The choral group has also performed with various U.S. symphony orchestras around the country and stars, such as Kenny Rogers.

The Sea Chanters, now under the direction of Chief Musician Adam Tyler, were formed in 1956, originally as an all-male chorus. They were later incorporated into the Navy Band, with the aim of "perpetuating the songs of the sea," according to their website.

In 1980, women were added to the group and the repertoire expanded include everything from classical to contemporary.

The Sea Chanters are appearing at HCC as part of its National Tour which takes them throughout the United States. In Hagerstown, their concert is sponsored by the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Korean War Veterans Association, the Joint Veterans Council, and Amvets Post 14.

The concert is free, but concession items will be available for purchase. No outside food is allowed in the amphitheater or the surrounding grounds.

For more information, call HCC at 240-500-2346 or www.hagerstowncc.edu/alumni-foundation or www.navyband.navy.mil/sea_chanters.shtml.