 A local choir would sing some carols and a military service band would play a selection of Christmas music for a half-hour before the president emerged to speak briefly and light the tree.A member of the Boy Scouts of America and either the Girl Scouts of the USA or the Camp Fire Girls would greet the president on behalf of the people of the city of Washington.After the president returned to the White House, the band would play more music for a half-hour, and then the public would be cleared from the area.