JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The Hampton Roads community celebrated the holidays with free concerts by the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band, Dec. 4 through 9.
The Heritage of America Concert Band presented “Holiday Memories in Blue” and the TRADOC Band performed at various local schools, theaters and churches during their holiday concert series.
The bands embraced the holiday spirit with traditional songs like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” encouraging the crowd to sing along.
For long-time concert-goers, Carol and John Wilson, coming to the concert made their holiday season complete.
“We have been coming to see the bands play for 45 years now,” said Carol. “We have a soft spot for the military and love the music they play. They’re such talented performers and are always so courteous.”
The Wilsons consistently recommend friends and family attend a performance by the concert bands, especially their holiday performances.
According to U.S. Army Cpl. James Jaeger, TRADOC band trumpet player, the band strives to reach all demographics with their traditional holiday concerts.
“We try to touch people in certain ways so everyone leaves our holiday concerts with a positive attitude,” said Jaeger. “We want people to walk about with that holiday spirit in their hearts.”
In keeping the festivities alive, Jaeger noted the Army band uses the holiday concerts to showcase the creativity the band adds to the typical holiday traditions.
Hoping to bring joy to the Hampton Roads community, Joint Base Langley-Eustis’ bands perform traditional and unique holiday carols to add to the spirit of the holidays.
To learn about future performances by the Heritage of America Band or the TRADOC band, visit www.music.af.mil/Bands/US-Air-Force-Heritage-of-America-Band/ or www.tradoc.army.mil/band.