The U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band will present “Through Children’s Eyes,” a free concert featuring a family-friendly program of holiday music, at Tidewater Community College’s Roper Center in Norfolk on Dec 4 and 5.

“Through Children’s Eyes” highlights the joy and wonder of the holiday season, with traditional and new music performed by several of the Heritage of America Band’s ensembles.

In addition to familiar favorites, music inspired by or written especially for children will be performed, including selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Ballet,” the television program “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and a brand new children’s story entitled “Robbie the Raptor.”

The shows will be held at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Ticket Information can be found at www.heritageofamericaband.af.mil.

“‘Through Children’s Eyes’ will be a wonderful and fun concert, and it’s a great way for families to take time to relax from the fast pace of the season and enjoy some memorable music,” said Ray Landon, the band’s musical resources specialist.

“There will be many different styles of music and even a few surprises on this program, so there really is something for everybody. We know our audiences will leave with a smile.”

The U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band has a stated mission of inspiring and sustaining American patriotism, bolstering military recruitment efforts, honoring America’s military service veterans and enhancing esprit de corps in the United States Air Force.

Stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, the band has been featured in such events such as NBC’s “The Today Show,” the Desert Storm National Victory Parade, The MLB World Series, NFL games and NASCAR.

The Heritage of America Band has performed ceremonies for U.S presidents and foreign heads of state, including the queen of England and the president of France. The band travels more than 150,000 miles annually to perform hundreds of concerts for listeners across a 15-state region from Maine to South Carolina and reaches a world-wide audience through its website, social media and audio recordings.

The USAF Heritage of America Band has earned international critical acclaim and numerous honors: eight Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, five Air Force Organizational Excellence Awards, four Colonel George S. Howard Citations of Musical Excellence for Military Concert Band, North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and countless state and municipal proclamations.