Annapolis Opera Celebrates 250th With Navy, Air Force Musicians at Voices of America Concert

On November 15, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis will host a singular convergence of military service and American art as Annapolis Opera presents Voices of America: Celebrating American Composers, a concert marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, Eye On Annapolis reported. The afternoon concert features soprano Amy Broadbent and tenor Matthew Hill, accomplished vocalists who also hold musical leadership positions within the U.S. Armed Forces, for a program examining the music and composers that have shaped American culture across two and a half centuries.

Broadbent serves as associate conductor of the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, the Navy’s official chorus, while Hill is the enlisted conductor and music director of the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants, one of the Air Force’s premier vocal ensembles. Both performers are founding members of The Polyphonists, a professional vocal ensemble, a connection Eye On Annapolis highlighted as evidence of an established musical partnership heading into the November 15 concert at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis.

Hill’s repertoire includes opera, oratorio, art song and musical theater, a range that spans the concert’s survey of American vocal traditions from the concert hall to the stage. Broadbent’s career has likewise encompassed both vocal performance and conducting, giving her experience on both sides of the podium. Their dual roles in military and professional ensembles create a distinctive bridge between their service and the concert’s patriotic theme of celebrating American composers.

Annapolis opera taps navy and air force stars for america s concert — Photo: hoodline.com

Dr. Edward Rothmel will accompany the singers, bringing to the stage a career that has extended throughout the United States and internationally as a pianist, vocal coach and conductor. Eye On Annapolis reported that Rothmel is known for mentoring developing vocalists and helping them refine their musical interpretations, a background that aligns with Annapolis Opera’s broader goal of introducing audiences to a wider range of vocal music beyond traditional opera staging.

The concert program will explore works by American composers whose music reflects the nation’s history, cultural diversity and changing identity, though the specific pieces have not been detailed in advance materials. This thematic focus ties the performance directly to the broader celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, recognizing the role music has played in telling the country’s stories through its evolving identity.

Instagram

A 54-Year-Old Company Brings the Semiquincentennial to the Mid-Atlantic

In its 54th year, Annapolis Opera stages professional opera productions, concerts and arts education programs throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The November 15 event fits within that season-long commitment, offering audiences a concert format designed to introduce a broader range of vocal music in the intimate setting of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis rather than a traditional opera house, making the 250th anniversary celebration accessible to a wider community.

Seating for the performance is limited, and tickets are available online. Eye On Annapolis reported that the company’s event page spells out strict terms for those purchases: only tickets bought directly through Annapolis Opera are valid for admission, and the organization maintains a no-refund, no-exchange and no-resale policy for this event, meaning attendees should plan accordingly before buying.

Two service members who spend their careers performing within the nation’s military bands will spend a November afternoon in Annapolis celebrating 250 years of American music, bringing the semiquincentennial to the stage.