REMEMBERING On Beethoven’s birthday, December 16, the traditional Candlelight Ceremony was held in Bingham’s auditorium. What better way to celebrate the birth of a true musician? The purpose of the ceremony, though, 2s not to celebrate Beethoven's bir- hhday. It was to initiate the celebration of Christ's birthday to the school Hours of practice and hard work went into the final production. Pro- grams were made and were given to each person who attended Not long after 7:30 p.m., Mr. Wood and the P.T.A. took charge. Mes. Lin- Ja Sandstrom, previously a part of Bingham for twenty years, was presented with the Yule Award. The presentation of the Yule Award to an outstanding individual in Bingham’s st or present was started by Mrs nndstrom, herself, years ago. After years of generous giving, it was her turn to receive. secret were one of the many youl phanks fs Ay Ot WU AH f bagel. Pkt With this thought of giving in the audience's mind, the theme of Christmas was already strong. Then the ceremony began. A star of light was projected above the stage and a narrator with a deep voice began to set the mood for an evening of Christmas spirit. The members of A’Capella came in, drif- ting down the aisles of the auditorium. Each young man in a tuxedo and each young woman in a pink formal held. ‘a candle in his hand. The soft glow of the candles reflected in the anxious eyes of the performers, ‘The candles were placed in two candelabras on the stage and the per- formers took their places in the center. Jolene Dalton, with talent and skill directed three choirs. These choirs in- cluded A’Capella, Madrigals, and Choraliers, Mr. Husted’s symphonic band also added to the magic of the evening. = (performod at Candlelight, — Lay fo (Jee wie - “p- gw Wh & yy less. wa your D UMMAt Candioliaht/211 CANDLELIGHT MAKING THE HOLIDAYSWORTH Clarinet, flutes, saxophones, drums and other instruments blended together to create a peaceful mood The three choirs seemed to be a single choir of angels at the climax of the program: Handel’s. hallelujah chorus from “The Messiah’. Those who did not physically sing with their voices sang along in their hearts. ‘All too soon the ceremony was over. The performers had drifted off the stage and up the aisles and the sing- ing was done. But the memory of par- ticipating or attending, will certainly live on. ‘The Candlelight Ceremony has been a tradition throughout the 10 years Bingham has been at 104th. May the tradition live as long as the tradition of Christmas. by Jayel Sorenson Candles captivating this bn glad igh adr Tier, Me, 2