Thanks to a great performance by the U. S. Navy Band Sea Chanters Chorus, an auditorium filled with an appreciative audience had the opportunity to hear great entertainment on Friday night at the Lehighton High School. The program was sponsored by THE TIMES NEWS.

The Sea Chanters performance on Friday marked the start of their 21-day, 2011 national tour.MU1 Rachel Sarracco of Victoria, Texas, served as narrator for the program.During the evening Sarracco announced the selections and provided the background of the Sea Chanters and the U. S. Navy history, plus she also took her place among the fine singers on stage.While the audience was prepared to hear some good entertainment at the beginning of the evening, many said the show more than exceeded their expectations.For Joe Matsago of Tamaqua it was also a night to for him to display that he was a U. S. Navy veteran by wearing his Sea Bees uniform. Matsago was in the U. S. Navy from 1972 through 1979.Sarracco said that the U. S. Navy was also celebrating its 100th anniversary of aviation on Jan. 18. 1911, when they began taking to the sky. She said that the U. S. Navy has 3,700 aircraft. She also noted that it was the 55th anniversary of the Sea Chanters Chorus, which initially had been an all male chorus.From the first selection, "When the Saints Go Marching In," to the final selection, "Armed Forces on Parade," the show was spectacular.True to their name, they offered a male only sea chanty, " Boston Harbor," and then followed up with a female version, "Saucy Sailor."Sarracco said the "Navy travels on the water, over the water and in the water," as part of the history of the U. S. Navy. She also noted that U. S. Navy adheres to strict rules, before the song, "The Drunken Sailor." They also sang an American folk song, "Every Night," which told the mournful tale of a sailor who asked to be set free from the pain of war.They performed the American spiritual, "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel," and the beloved "Battle Hymn of the Republic," which the chorus has performed at funerals for noted Americans.The show continued with a trio of talented musicians performing, "Spain" and the Blue Jackets singing a song about diversity, "Sing, Sing, Sing." The audience definitely loved the female trio performing "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," and they laughed at the unconventional medley, "Java Jive," an ode to coffee and "Coffee in a Cardboard Cup."Likely a favorite of the audience was the top billboard hits of the 1960s, beginning with "Age of Aquarius," to the final number of that series, "Let the Sun Shine In."The United States Navy Sea Chanters chorus is the official chorus of the United States Navy. The ensemble performs a variety of music ranging from traditional choral music to sea chanters and Broadway musicals.Under the leadership of Senior Chief Musician Georgina Todd, the Sea Chanters appear throughout the United States and often perform at the White, the vice president's home and for other Washington dignitaries.The history of the Sea Chanters can be traced back to 1956 when Lt. Harold Fultz, then the band's assistant leader, organized a group from the Navy School of Music in Anacostia to sing chanters and patriotic songs for the State of the Nation dinner.The Sea Chanters are frequently asked to perform at presidential inaugurations ceremonies and have played a vital role in comforting the nation in times of mourning.