When the Fredonia Opera House announced this concert, I closed my laptop and picked up the phone.

The U.S. Navy Band’s Sea Chanters were at the Opera House for an evening concert last Friday and I wasn’t going to miss it. It seemed a shame for just Richard and me to enjoy it, so we invited two musician friends to join us. No, we weren’t generous big spenders. All tickets to all military band events are complimentary. Our four tickets arrived in the mail two days later.

My friend Ann grew up playing the piano. These days she makes music mostly at church in both the choir and the bell choir. I knew she would appreciate the good voices.

David, formerly U.S. Army, is also a multi-instrument kinda guy, but primarily plays a mean jazz harmonica. Throughout the years, he has often added his strong baritone to the Warren Players performances. These two friends of ours were strangers meeting in our driveway. They were pals by the time we were seated for the concert.

Rick Davis, the Executive Director of the Fredonia Opera House, is an old friend from my many years in the same job at our Struthers Library Theatre in Warren. Rick advised that the doors would open at 6:15 for the 7 p.m. concert. The concert was sold out so we left early for the 48-mile drive. Yup, the line was long even for us early birds, but four middle seats in row three welcomed us.

We had time to chat of course, but we spent a lot of time enjoying our surroundings in the lovingly maintained 1891 theater. The rich Victoria-era colors, the ornamental millwork, the extensive shining brass-work, all reflect a lot of devotion. Rick with his staff, Marsha Finley and Dan Allen all wear many hats.

At precisely 7 o’clock – 1900 hours military time – a pretty Navy Chief entered stage right to introduce the Sea Chanters. In their navy-blue dress uniforms, 22 men and women entered the stage and led us all in the Star-Spangled Banner. I expected that, but I have to confide how wonderful it was to hear it performed properly.

After we sat down, the group quickly launched into an upbeat jazz tune that really rocked, ending with huge applause. It was a great start to a repertoire I didn’t expect. Some songs were performed a Cappella – unaccompanied – but others were joined by an instrumental trio. But wait, aren’t they supposed to sing sea chanties? They did one, but it turns out they do everything, from Brahms to Broadway, from ballads to be-bop. And many tunes featured a soloist, a duet, or in one case a trio.

The individual talent was stunning. One tall, strapping baritone had a voice even bigger than he was – grand opera to my ear. One soprano had a huge melodic voice, despite being the smallest singer on stage. They are all gifted artists. And therein lies their story.

Although all the members of the Chanters are enlisted personnel, they all have bachelor’s degrees. Many have their masters. Their numbers include graduates of Julliard and Rochester’s prestigious Eastman School of Music among many other conservatories. All applicants must audition, and if accepted they go through basic military training.

These professional musicians have chosen an extremely gratifying way to use their talent. The Navy band is a quality job with health benefits, a retirement plan, and a chance to see a lot of the world. And they stay. Why wouldn’t they? By the hash marks on their sleeves, I could tell who had been in at least 8 years, or 16 – and one woman even 24. Each hash mark stands for 4 years. It’s a good gig.

Most civilian musicians work hard to be employed full-time. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard collectively employ 700 musicians.

The bands, some with choruses, are stationed in bases all over the world in moral support of our military. They perform at embassies, funerals, state occasions, changes of command ceremonies, and more goodwill occasions than I can list.

The Sea Chanters who entertained us are attached to the Navy band in Washington, D.C. The band and chorus perform together and separately. Each group takes one extended tour a year to reach out to fellow Americans and as a recruitment tool.

As we drove home in the snow, we couldn’t stop talking about the showcase of talent, the individual performances, and the special evening we had enjoyed.

I know that one military band plays at Chautauqua every summer. You’ll have to check the date, but it’s always a Sunday when entrance is free. I promise you an experience like no other. Plus, for me, there’s always that trickle of pride pulsing in my chest.

I always did fall for the uniform.

Marcy O’Brien can be reached at moby.32@hotmail.com.