Jeffrey Carr, Matthew C. Perry High School assistant principal, narrates as the symphonic band plays “The Night Before Christmas” during the annual holiday celebration concert at the Sakura Assembly Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 7, 2016. The concert showcased various musical groups from M.C. Perry and brought base residents, students and staff from Suo-Oshima Municipal Elementary School, Waki Junior High School and Otake Municipal Ogata Junior High School together. To start the concert, the symphonic band played “Angels We Have Heard on High” to approximately 300 guests inside the theater. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - Jeffrey Carr, Matthew C. Perry High School assistant principal, narrates as the symphonic band plays “The Night Before Christmas” during the annual holiday celebration concert at the Sakura Assembly Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 7, 2016. The concert showcased various musical groups from M.C. Perry and brought base residents, students and staff from Suo-Oshima Municipal Elementary School, Waki Junior High School and Otake Municipal Ogata Junior High School together. To start the concert, the symphonic band played “Angels We Have Heard on High” to approximately 300 guests inside the theater. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Matthew C. Perry Elementary and High School students on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Japanese students from the surrounding area participated in the 6th Annual Friendship Concert at Sinfonia Iwakuni Concert Hall, Iwakuni City, Feb. 20, 2016. The students practiced together weekly in preparation for the concert. Events like these allow the children of both nations to learn to work together despite language barriers and tighten the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. - Matthew C. Perry Elementary and High School students on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Japanese students from the surrounding area participated in the 6th Annual Friendship Concert at Sinfonia Iwakuni Concert Hall, Iwakuni City, Feb. 20, 2016. The students practiced together weekly in preparation for the concert. Events like these allow the children of both nations to learn to work together despite language barriers and tighten the friendship between the U.S. and Japan.