Welcome U.S. Navy Sea Chanters

It is always a pleasure and great honor to present one of our military music ensembles at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.  We thank our sponsor, The Times-Bulletin Media for helping make this happen. Tonight, Wednesday, March 7, we welcome the Navy Band Sea Chanters.  This is the United States Navy’s official chorus.  Don’t come expecting the band; this is the chorus.  In 1956, Admiral Arleigh Burke, then Chief of Naval Operations, transferred this singing group from the Navy School of Music into the organization of the Navy Band.

The chorus you have an opportunity to hear is the one found at the center of our most important national events.  You have most undoubtedly seen them perform at Presidential Inaugurations, funerals, and memorial services.  Their performance of “Amazing Grace” for the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance at the National Cathedral in Washington after the events of 9/11 inspired all in attendance as well as a national television audience.  In 2004, the chorus participated in former President Regan’s funeral at the National Cathedral and then again for President Ford’s funeral in 2007.

So, you can see how fortunate we are to host such a distinguished and honorable ensemble.  Most of the singers are graduates of the U.S. Navy School of Music and have other music degrees from some of the finest schools of music in our nation.  They decided to enter the military and serve our country, meeting needs for national occasions as well as entertaining our troops.

The Sea Chanters just happened to be in Fort Wayne participating in the American Choral Director’s Conference and were looking for other venues to perform within the Fort Wayne area.  We were fortunate they found us and thought our venue would be a great performance hall for them to sing in.  They will find they were right!

In talking with one of the Sea Chanters, she mentioned that they try to reach an audience of all ages.  They will mix some traditional sea chantey music and traditional choral music (of which they sing very well!) with some more pop music such as a very “cool” medley from Jersey Boys.

When you come to the concert tonight, plan on coming a little early and listen to the Knight Vision Show Choir from Crestview High School.  Under the direction of Mrs. Danille Hancock, they will be singing in the Upper Lobby starting at 7:00 p.m.  You may want to put your coats on your seats and then come out to the upper lobby to listen to this fine young singing group from Crestview.  We thank Knight Vision for providing some pre-concert music for our patrons! The students will then attend the concert and see how the military pros do it.

Also assisting in the opening ceremony will be the Boy Scouts.  We thank their troop leader, Greg Amstutz for organizing this color guard for the opening ceremonies of this military concert.

If you enjoy jazz piano, you won’t want to miss Saturday, March 17 when Brian Culbertson and David Benoit will be performing on two grand pianos.  They call it “Piano 2 Piano.”  Brian has been to the Niswonger on a couple other occasions, but this will be David Benoit’s first appearance in Van Wert.  He is a five-time Grammy Award winner, but is probably most notable for his piano work in the Charlie Brown specials.  He has collaborated with Take 6, trumpeter- Chris Botti, and guitarist- Mark Antoine.  Tickets are available for this 7:30 p.m. concert from the NPAC Box Office.

We have now reached the month of March and The Van Wert County Foundation office will receive names of non-profit organizations interested in serving food at our Fountain Park Summer Music Series concerts. This is open to any non-profit organization that did not serve last year.  Call our office at 419.238.1743 to be considered for the drawing on April 2.

FINÉ.