A score for Socrates

Composer Hollis Thoms has spent much of his life as an educator and just completed a master's degree at St. John's College, so maybe his latest work was predestined.

Mr. Thoms, 58, of Edgewater, has written a one-act opera about the Greek philosopher and teacher Socrates, one of the thinkers at the core of the Annapolis school's curriculum.

The work, titled "Socrates," will premiere next month at a free performance that features four members of his family.

Prior to the start of the show, there will be a discussion of Socrates by three St. John's educators and the performance of a new cello piece written by Mr....