The 282nd Army Band put on a free holiday concert at the Koger Center in Columbia Dec. 7 for the community. They played jazz, big band music as well as a comprehensive repertoire of holiday favorites for all ages. (U.S. Army photo by Jennifer Stride...

Members of the 282nd Army Band let their true personalities shine through in a photo with Col. Mark Shade, Fort Jackson's deputy commanding officer, after the performing a holiday rock concert at the Solomon Center for the Soldiers Dec. 6. (U.S. Army...

The 282nd Army Band put on a free holiday concert at the Koger Center in Columbia Dec. 7 for the community. They played jazz, big band music as well as a comprehensive repertoire of holiday favorites for all ages. (U.S. Army photo by Jennifer Stride...

Diversity and high energy, mixed with raw talent is what makes the 282nd Army Band a delight to listen to and to watch. Soldiers going through Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson got to take a break from their daily rigors to see the band in action at a rock concert at the Solomon Center Dec. 6.

The rock band plays at every graduation and at other venues around post, but are just one part of the larger band. The 282nd also has a concert band, brass quintet, ceremonial band, jazz combo band, brass ensemble, jazz band, brass band and buglers. Many of the members play multiple instruments in a variety of the different bands and several of them sing as well.

This holiday season, the band has 13 different concerts to play -- ranging from holiday events on post to venues off post as far away as Greenville and Charleston. Travelling and playing with their ramped up schedule is hectic but the group has boundless energy, and welcomes the challenge because they love what they do.