Performers Sparkle for Tree Lighting Date: December 08, 1975 By: Stephen Wiest Of the: Journal Staff By of the

SING ALONG WITH HENRY -- Backed by the Bennett Brothers and Dave Kennedy (right), Mayor Maier led community siging Sunday at Milwaukee's Christ- mas program. After the program, the mayor led the crowd to the Civic Center Plaza for the official lighting of the city's Christmas tree. Right: John Gary strummed his guitar as he sang at the program in the Arena. About 10,200 persons attended the event, which is held annually.

The Arena was almost full with more than 10,000 people enjoying the spectacular program before them. All the excitement of a big sporting event or rock concert was present at the 1975 Christmas Tree Lighting Festival Sunday. Milwaukeeans of all ages helped celebrate the city's 62nd annual Christmas Tree lighting. But it was the young people of Milwaukee that stole the show at the music festival before the tree lighting. Three marching bands and two choruses supplied pomp and pride at Sunday's event. The bold and brassy marchers of the Bay View High School Redcats, Conntinental Youth Band and the Lake Band moved across the areana floor in colorful cadence, their performance bracketed by the sweetly singing North Division High School Concert Choir and Catholic Elementary School Chorus. After a grand entrance, the high stepping Redcats kicked things off in their red and white regalia, followed by the blue and white robed North Division High School Choir. These strong and sensitive young singers showed some righteous gospel feeling with "Joy Like a River," and then brought their listeners to an emotional crescendo of holiday spirit with the "Hellelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah."

Then the Milwaukee Continental Youth Band marched onto the floor from four directions. A squad a baton twirling young women in orange skirts and white tams occupied the center of action with their nimble agility. While the children of the Catholic Elementary School Chorus stood up and sang several Christmas carols, a proud father was tape recording their songs. The lifting "Christmas Calypso" was a standout in these schoolchildren's presentation. Then it was back to more choreographed precision as the red and grey Lake Band convincingly imitated little tin soldiers with Victor Herbert's "March of the Toys." Emcees Howard Gernette and Rosemary Ross of Channel 12, next introduced Mayor Maier, who gave awards to groups that had participated in last year's festival. The crowd then enthusiastically joined in a singalong led by the mayor.

A teenage group of four soul singing brothers called the Bennetts backed up the mayor on "Up With People" Maiers solo performance of" The Impossible Dream" with the Steve Swedish Orchestra sounded as good as a recording --- in fact, it was. Maier had taped it in advance and the band played live as Maier mouthed the words. Smooth and suave proffesional singer John Gary, who seemed to be a regular of Milwaukee of late, concluded the show with ballads, love songs and carols that not only demonstrated an incredible voice but Gary's ability to charm women of all ages. Screams were heard from high school girls as well as autograph seeking grandmothers. But in the mammoth parade from the Arena to the three lighting ceremony, fireworks and Police Band concert at MacArthur Square after the indoor festival, the crowd seemed to agree on onr thing: This year, it was the talented youth of Milwaukee who brought the message of Christmas to town.