At first when you
see the tree, you might think it is an an over sized tree adorned with
ornaments but a second later you will realize that
it is a towering steel tree decorated with garland, twinkling lights and
hundreds of teenagers. A report on the Associated Press shows that the Mona Shores
Singing Christmas Tree combines the usual elements
into an unusual show that
will draw thousands of spectators this weekend. The 67-foot-tall tree features
25,000 lights, 5,000 linear feet of greenery, and 15 tiers on which about 220
choir members stand. About 50 other students sing from positions near the base
of the tree.
"It's basically ... a bunch of choir students standing
in a tree singing Christmas music," said Brynne Wilcox, a Mona Shores High
School senior who is taking part in her fourth and final set of shows, which
run through Saturday at the Frauenthal Center in Muskegon.
Freshmen are relegated to the bottom of the five-story tree,
while sophomores and juniors populate the middle. Seniors set up shop in the
upper levels. The very top is the domain of the "Tree Angel," a
senior selected by Shawn Lawton, the director of the Mona Shores High School
Choir.
According to Lawton:
"It's not that kid who's the greatest singer, necessarily (who partakes). But instead just someone with a lot of heart and maybe has lived through a lot and still smiles."
Lawton picked two Tree Angels this year, marking only the
second time that's been done in the 31-year history of the show. They are
alternating shows atop the tree. All 275 student singers made it safely through a free dress
rehearsal Wednesday night for members of the community with special needs, the
elderly, and others who might not otherwise be able to come to the show.
Audience members roared in approval when the Singing
Christmas Tree — shrouded in darkness at the start of the show — burst into
light as the choir belted out "Gloria."