Milwaukee Strikes Up Its Ethnic Band Date: September 08, 1975 By: ------------- Of the: Journal Staff

The Milwaukee International Folk Band performed Monday at Convetion Hall

With a thunderous drum roll, the Milwaukee International Folk Band opened its first concert Monday morning. The setting was Convention Hall. The band, which has been championed by Mayor Maier as an expression of Milwaukee's varied folk heritage and a tourist attraction, played before 'about 50 delegates to

the international convention of the Society of Automotive Engineers. Stationed just outside the entrance to the Great Hall, the 16 band members and director Dave Kennedy, dressed in powder blue blazers and black slacks, played an 18 minute, fast paced medley of 10 songs.

Milwaukeeans of Mexican descent recieved the first salute, with a heavy brass rendition of "El Rancho Grande." Among the other songs played were "McNamara's Band," "Never on Sunday," Havah Nagilah" and Edelweiss." Delegates to stoped to listen applauded, but many of the delegates ignored the music.

Maier was on hand to watch the first performance. During the brief concert he went out to his car to shave and then returned to shake director Kennedy's hand when it was over. The mayor said he was pleased with the band. "This is only the maiden voyage. It has great promise," he said.