Hundreds of community members joined residents of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., for the annual 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band Christmas Concert at the Two Rivers Theater Dec. 5.

According to Staff Sgt. Christopher Dwyer, the enlisted conductor for the band, the Marines of the 2nd MAW Band are always excited about kicking off the holiday season and getting those on and around the air station into the Christmas spirit.

“I really love this concert in particular,” said Dwyer. “I am a Christmas nut. It is my favorite time of year. It brings me joy to make music and make people happy.”

The annual free, public concert featured Christmas classics like “Joy to the World” and “O' Holy Night.”

“I like playing a lot of feel good Christmas music,” said Dwyer. “It’s great to see people come from all over to see this Christmas concert. This event is really important because it’s our opportunity to strengthen the tie between the military and our civilian counterparts with music, which is something we all enjoy.”

Following a concert tradition, Lance Cpl. Camden Bettey narrated “T’was the Night Before Christmas,” a revision of the classic poem, while the band played along.

“I am a huge fan of the entire show every year and I always look forward to what they will do next,” said Greg Ciesielski, a retired Marine from Havelock.

As the concert came to an end, the familiar sound of bells jingling could be heard ringing throughout the theater. The bells were immediately followed by the appearance of a tall round figure who greeted the audience with a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas!”

Children jumped to their feet as Santa Claus weaved through the cheering crowd, throwing candy and wishing everyone a very merry Christmas.

“The concert is as enjoyable now as it was the first time I saw the 2nd MAW band play,” said Ciesielski. “We love hearing the great music, especially when it’s being made by Marines.”