The Sea Chanters Hit the Road

The Navy Band Sea Chanters chorus embarked today on our 21-day tour of the Northeastern states.  As we departed the Anacostia Naval Station parking lot, we were treated to delicious doughnuts by Chief Musician Scott Silbert, the Navy Band's chief arranger.  It was regarded by all as the finest possible way to begin a national concert tour!

We enjoyed gorgeous sunny weather and stunning views of the Lehigh Valley on our way to Pennsylvania for our first concert.  A few of our singers drove early to Lehighton Area High School, our concert site, to give a voice clinic to students from the choral program.  We had a blast!  Mr. David Perkins, the choral director of Lehighton Area H.S., had put together a great display case that made us feel warmly welcomed.

As we exited the stage after soundcheck, we were greeted in the halls by over 850 patrons! They were lined up all the way out the door, excited and eager for our program. These patrons, many of them veterans of World War II and the Korean War, were a wonderful audience for us and made our first night away from home very special. We are very grateful to our sponsor, the Times News, for the advertising that made such a huge turnout possible.

On a personal note, I joined the Sea Chanters in spring 2006, and my first tour was to this area - the Northeast. Serving in my first five-year enlistment was an honor, and to return here to the beautiful Northeast is a great way to begin my second enlistment. We are so excited to begin our journey, and look forward to seeing you all out there on the road! 

Musician 1st Class Casey Elliott is the associate musical director of the Sea Chanters.